Best read stories of 2014

Agents on the move, development plans dusted off, investment market heating up, housing sagas rolling on – Place North West looks back at the stories that attracted readers more than others in the past 12 months.

See below for overall top 20 stories of 2014

Best read stories by month

January

Peel and Warrington in war of words over swing-bridge

Warrington Council called for urgent talks with Peel Ports to stop traffic disruption in the town centre caused by the Manchester Ship Canal swing bridge.

Bernstein: Manchester set for city living return

Sir Howard Bernstein predicted a surge in city centre residential developments in the next 12 to 18 months.

February

Eight promoted at DTZ Manchester

DTZ announced a raft of promotions, including office agent Chris Lloyd and Manchester head John Keyes.

Open letter from Cllr David Brown, Cheshire East Council

The deputy leader of Cheshire East published a letter of thanks for the 36,000 responses during the consultation on the local plan.

March

Old Granada Studios interim plans emerge

Allied London outlined proposals for pop-up shops, bars and restaurants at a consultation event.

MMU shortlists developers for Aytoun Street

A JV of Capital & Centric and Henry Boot, funded by equity investment from five Premier League footballers, was named as one of the bidders for this Manchester city centre site. The JV ultimately won the contest.

April

Liverpool Combined Authority threatens to implode in first week

The inaugural meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ended in dispute; with Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson seeking legal advice after the leadership vote was allegedly held in secret.

Cheshire East loses again at housing inquiry

A planning inspector overruled the council on a new housing application, stating that it could not demonstrate a five-year housing supply.

May

Cheshire East takes Sandbach ruling to High Court

The council said it had requested legal advice over the planning inspectorate's decision to approve an application at Elworth Hall farm.

Further departures for LSH

Two Lambert Smith Hampton directors in Manchester, Nick Davies and James Ogborn, left the firm to form a new consultancy, Axis Property.

June

Open letter from Cllr Michael Jones

The Cheshire East Council leader called for cross-party support for the local plan, and told UKIP and Labour "stop talking half-truths".

Tishbi sells Gateway House for £26m

The 140,000 sq ft S-shaped building on Piccadilly Station approach was bought by LaSalle Investment Management.

July

Inspector 'concerned' by Cheshire East strategy

The planning inspector overseeing the local plan examination questioned the "adequacy and methodology" of the council's housing assessment.

Peel Ports commercial director leaves

Dennis Henderson, commercial director on the board of Peel Ports Group, left the business suddenly after four years.

August

First look at Auto Trader office

Claremont Group Interiors completed the fit-out of Auto Trader's 60,000 sq ft office in Ask Developments' Number One First Street.

DTZ to head development contest at Oxford Road

Network Rail and Manchester City Council appointed DTZ to find a developer for a major mixed-use scheme on land at Oxford Road train station.

September

Stephenson:ISA completes Grand Designs project

A North Wales cliff-top home designed by the Manchester-based studio featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs.

Shake-up at HCA as senior managers take private roles

The Homes & Communities Agency launched the search for new heads of area for Cheshire & Warrington and Greater Manchester.

October

Blackpool Airport reaches closure deadline

The owner of the regional airport for Lancashire and the Lake District set a deadline of 7 October to find a buyer. The airport reopened with a reduced service for private flights, not open to the public.

Realty rebrands BBC site as Oxford Square

The developer released a detailed image of its plans for the former BBC Oxford Road site in Manchester.

November

Inspector slams Cheshire East plan

The inspector overseeing Cheshire East's local plan published his interim views, warning that without key changes the plan is likely to be found unsound.

Double departure at Argent

Developer Argent announced at the One St Peter's Square launch that James Heather, partner, and Angela Fielding, senior projects director, will leave the company in 2015.

December

Barron to WHR in latest agency switch

Rupert Barron, who left Colliers International in October, joined Manchester-based WHR as partner responsible for the firm's office agency team.

Shortlist for Oxford Road station

A joint venture between Capital & Centric and Carillion, alongside Bruntwood, First Step, Valad and Muse, have put forward proposals for the Manchester city centre site.

Top 20 best read stories of 2014

1. Blackpool Airport reaches closure deadline
2. First look at Auto Trader office
3. Open letter from Cllr Michael Jones Cheshire East Council
4. Inspector concerned by Cheshire East strategy
5. Michael Kors opens in Liverpool ONE
6. Old Granada Studios interim plans emerge
7. Realty rebrands BBC site as Oxford Square
8. Globe Construction folds
9. First view inside One St Peter's Square
10. DTZ to head development contest at Oxford Road station
11. Inspector slams Cheshire East plan
12. First look at HS2 stations at Manchester Airport and Crewe
13. Liverpool Combined Authority threatens to implode in first week
14. Cheshire East loses again at housing inquiry
15. AZ happy with progress on Alderley Park sale
16. Henry Boot JV with Capital & Centric wins Aytoun Street
17. Peel Ports commercial director leaves
18. Tishbi sells Gateway House for £26m
19. Peel and Warrington in war of words over swing bridge
20. JMU starts £80m Copperas Hill development