Best read stories of 2017
Place North West takes a look back at the stories most popular with readers this year, featuring St Michael’s, Liverpool’s tallest building, Sir Howard Bernstein, and town centre overhauls across the region.
See below for overall top stories of 2017
Best read stories by month
January
St Michael’s application submitted
One of the most controversial proposals of the year was submitted to Manchester City Council planners in January. Gary Neville’s scheme was set to dominate headlines as the year continued.
Designs for Liverpool skyscraper revealed
Designs for a 48-storey sister skyscraper to the proposed Ovatus tower showed what could become the city’s tallest building.
February
Make Manchester the new capital, says The Economist
This was the most discussed story of the year, prompting 74 comments by readers. The Economist outlined “a pragmatic case for moving Britain’s capital to Manchester”.
Leese: City centre services not fit for Manchester’s growing population
City council leader Sir Richard Leese admitted the appearance and feel of Manchester had not kept pace with its rapid growth, unveiling a package of spending to tackle a range of issues.
March
Council knew of Lime Street containers but owner was immune from enforcement action
Investigative work by Place North West revealed Liverpool City Council had been powerless to act against Anwar Kassim, the long leaseholder of land above a collapsed wall at the Lime Street station.
MIPIM: Everton stadium dock move ‘happening and real’ says mayor
A colourful quote from Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson provided some fireworks in March, as plans for Everton’s stadium at Bramley Moore Dock were revealed during the MIPIM property conference in Cannes.
April
Sir Howard Bernstein takes paid role at Deloitte
In the month following his retirement from Manchester City Council, former chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein continued to dominate the headlines after taking a role with Deloitte’s strategic advisory team.
Tributes to Bernstein continue at packed charity dinner
A charity dinner for 800 attendees, including businesses, politicians, and footballers, was held to celebrate Sir Howard’s service to the city.
May
Video: Burnham announces radical rewrite of GMSF
Just weeks after being named as Greater Manchester’s first metro mayor, Andy Burnham announced he would be reworking the region’s spatial framework.
Alchemist’s ‘golden spaceship’ lands at Quays
Contractor Artez completed work on a striking gold addition to Salford Quays, which is now open for business.
June
Magnetic levitation route proposal revealed for North
Ryder Architecture and Arup unveiled proposals for the North’s Hyperloop One, which could link Liverpool and Glasgow in just 43 minutes.
Video: Manchester skyline in 2022
An animated fly-through by Ed Howe showcased what Manchester’s skyline could look like in five years’ time.
July
HS2 route confirmed | Details + reactions
The Government confirmed the route for Phase 2b of HS2 in July, which included details of how the high-speed rail line connects from Crewe to Manchester.
Gary Neville’s plans for St Michael’s were back in the limelight after significant changes were revealed for the development.
August
McGoff seeks Altrincham effect in Urmston
Altrincham-based McGoff Group snapped up the Urmston Market site, and outlined plans to turn the building into a food hall.
M&M to cut retail space at Stretford Mall
Owner M&M Asset Management submitted plans to demolish part of the struggling Stretford Shopping Mall in a bid to overhaul the site off Chester Road.
September
Urmston leisure spend goes before executive
Urmston was back in the headlines for the second month in a row after Trafford Council was asked to approve a £6.4m refurbishment of the town’s leisure centre.
Fury as LEP chairman reveals plans to develop call centre on council land at Kings Dock
Chairman of Liverpool city region’s Local Enterprise Partnership Asif Hamid revealed plans to build a call centre on a site at Kings Dock.
October
Photographs of Redrock nearing completion, a cinema and leisure development in the town centre, prompted a fiercely one-sided debate among readers and local residents, who were not happy.
Sale town centre overhaul moves forward
Plans for a radical redesign of Sale town centre proved to be one of autumn’s most popular stories.
November
Developer reveals designs for £65m Sale town centre revamp
A public consultation attended by Place North West revealed a new look for Sale, including a cinema, residential, and restaurant space.
Aldi checks out after 27 years to join grocery gateway
A long read on Aldi’s plans to relocate its Old Trafford Store after 27 years with input from locals, planners, and developers, showcased the changing face of convenience and food retail in the region.
December
Peel pursues legal battle over Carrington consent
Legal wranglings between Peel, Himor, and Trafford Council led the way in December, after the developer continued to call for a judicial review into proposals in Carrington.
Third senior suspension at Cheshire East
Chief operating officer Peter Bates was the latest employee to be removed from duty at Cheshire East Council, following chief executive Mike Suarez and head of legal services Bill Norman.
Top 20 best read stories of 2017
- Stockport ready for Redrock
- Sale town centre overhaul moves forward
- Make Manchester the new capital, says The Economist
- McGoff seeks Altrincham effect in Urmston
- St Michael’s application submitted
- Video: Manchester skyline in 2022
- Magnetic levitation route proposal revealed for North
- Cheshire East approves 900 homes
- M&M to cut retail space at Stretford Mall
- Developer reveals designs for £65m Sale town centre revamp
- Designs for Liverpool skyscraper revealed
- Sister tower for Beetham planned at Manchester Central
- Urmston leisure spend goes before executive
- HS2 route confirmed: Details & reactions
- Picture special: A walk around Manchester’s construction boom
- Aldi checks out after 27 years to join grocery gateway
- Images: Great Northern Square to become urban oasis
- Video: Burnham announces radical rewrite of GMSF
- St Michael’s plans overhauled
- St Michael’s releases images of redesigned city tower