Could problematic Northern Quarter scheme be revived?

Telford-based Noble Design & Build acquired the site of a 40-home Manchester development on the corner of Red Lion Street and Union Street in 2024 and now wants to resurrect the project, which stalled five years ago.

The developer has lodged plans to make tweaks to the site’s planning permission, which dates back to 2016.

These include reducing the number of homes in the 10-storey block by two, revising internal layouts to ensure all of the one- and two-bed apartments meet minimum space standards, removing balconies, and adding a second staircase.

NC Architecture is leading on the scheme’s design and Paul Butler Associates is advising on planning.

A viability appraisal submitted to Manchester City Council states that the scheme’s gross development value is £10.3m and it will cost £11.8m to build. No affordable homes will be delivered as a result.

A JV between Taylor Rhodes Group and Deals Investment was granted planning permission for the 37-apartment development on Red Lion Street in 2016.

Work never got beyond the groundworks stage and the Union Square Manchester SPV went into administration in 2021.

The site was then put up for sale in the hope of recovering funds owed to fixed charge holder Ching Wai.

Ching Wai provided the funds for the SPV to acquire the Red Lion Street site from Beech Holdings. Following the sale of the site to ANQ Tower, the Noble Design & Build vehicle that has acquired the site, Wai has been partially paid back, suffering a shortfall in excess of £2m.

Individuals who paid deposits on the unbuilt apartments will receive nothing.

The site is located next to Church Street car park, which is owned by Manchester City Council. The authority is seeking a buyer for the plot and wants to see it redeveloped into a high-density residential scheme.