MMU All Saints Library clears planning
Manchester planning committee members voted unanimously to approve the eye-catching facility for Oxford Road designed by architects Hawkins\Brown and Schmidt Hammer Lassen.
Manchester Metropolitan University said demolition works would begin in the autumn. Construction is due to complete in spring 2028, with the 237,800 sq ft library ready to start welcoming students for the 2028/29 academic year.
Andrew Fallon, director of estates, facilities and capital development at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “The new library will be a striking addition to our estate and the Oxford Road skyline, serving as an iconic All Saints architectural gateway to our university. Once built, it will provide a vibrant learning, research, and collaboration hub, empowering our university community and fostering creativity and engagement for future generations.”
The project team comprises Deloitte, Planit, Buro Happold and Virtual Planit.
Also on the agenda…
Triple Jersey withdrew its resi proposal. Credit: via planning documents
Homes on site of B&M Burnage store
Developer Triple Jersey withdrew its application for 112 homes from the agenda after objections about the lack of any affordable housing in the scheme.
Cllr Bev Craig, council leader and a Burnage ward councillor, was joined by fellow ward councillors in objecting to the plans to demolish the store and build the full-market private housing. The site was previously occupied by a B&Q store and extends to four acres next to Mauldeth Road train station.
Triple Jersey is based in St Helier and is advised by DPP Planning; the designs are by Sten Architecture.
The Lapwing Lane retirement project was refused. Credit: via planning documents
West Didsbury retirement living
Councillors on the committee went along with the case officer’s recommendation to refuse.
Members voiced concerns during the meeting over the choice of materials, the fact neighbouring properties would be overlooked and the scale and height which were deemed too great. The plans by Churchill Retirement Living for the site on the corner of Lapwing Lane and Palatine Road were out of keeping with the local area, members agreed.
The applicant’s agent spoke to say the developer would consider revisions as conditions to the application but councillors dismissed this saying the applicant should have made changes during pre-planning.
Tp Bennett is leading on design. Credit: via planning documents
Newton Heath affordable homes
One Manchester’s plans for social and affordable housing were approved after a debate about the ways in which £100,000 of Section 106 would be spent. Local councillors called for the money to be used to mitigate displaced parking for the nearby health centre and library.
Julie Roscoe, director of planning, reassured members the scope of the Section 106 allowed for all parties to be satisfied. The 109-home proposal was approved and there will now follow Section 106 negotiations between the council and One Manchester.
The project team includes Euan Kellie Property Solutions, TP Bennett, TPM Landscape, Archaeological Research Services, Curtins, GIA, Urban Green, Astbury, Jameson Associates, and Kathryn Sather & Associates.
The scheme is designed by DAY Architectural. Credit: via planning documents
Land at Plymouth Grove, Ardwick
Having been deferred in January for a site visit, WUKPG’s 263-studio student accommodation block off Plymouth Grove was approved.
DAY Architectural designed the eight-storey building. Avison Young is the planning consultant.
The brownfield site near Upper Brook Street and the university district has been the subject of failed proposals in the past and has been vacant for several years.
Homeless shelter at Woodhouse Park
The council’s plans for conversion of a vacant probation centre in Brownley Road into a 20-bed homeless centre were deferred for a site visit.
The project was recommended for approval but met with more than 90 letters of objection. There were concerns about proximity to a children’s nursery and impact on local property values.
Glad Manchester is having some fun with its designs. Mancunian Way is gonna be a feast for the eyes in a few years. Great marketing for the city.
By Anonymous