Guinness gets approval for ‘irregular’-shaped Manchester plot
The social housing provider’s development is slated for an irregular shaped 2.5 acre site off White Moss Road and Dam Head Drive in Charlestown.
A mix of two- and three-bed, semi-detached and detached homes was proposed by the Guinness Partnership, which has been backed by Manchester City Council’s planning department in a delegated decision to approve the scheme.
All properties will be available for affordable rent and will have at least one car park space. The irregular shaped site is currently used as public open space.

The Guinness Partnership will develop an ‘irregular’ shaped plot in Charlestown. Credit: Planning docs
The planning officer report welcomed the proposal, acknowledging the scheme’s contribution to affordable housing.
It states: “The development is considered to be acceptable as it would contribute positively towards the supply of housing to meet targets and increase the provision of affordable housing.”
The project team includes John McCall Architects, Curtins, Atkins, Green Build Consult, E3P, and Wardell Armstrong.
To view the plans, search for reference number 135802/FO/2022 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
Unusual use of the word “slated” in the first sentence. In English it usually means to criticise unless in relation to a roof. Proposed might be a better word.
By Informed planner
Hi Informed planner. My favourite part of the English language is the fact that it evolves over time and that words have so many different meanings. You’ll find that Rory’s use of slated in the first sentence is in line with the word’s definition of “to designate”. But you are quite correct that it can also mean “to criticise” and also about the construction of a roof. I hope the context clues make it clear what definition we mean in this instance.
By Julia Hatmaker
Context indeed is everything and in the context of the article it makes sense once you understand it can mean “designate”. I would still argue that, particularly in relation to planning, reading that a development is “slated” is much more likely to suggest it has received opposition or objection or attacked in some way. I guess it is another Americanism that is creeping in, as you say English does evolve. Just not a word I would never consider using in the way it has here. But guess that’s me!
By Informed planner
More loss of common land!
By Manc