PLANNING | Maldron heads Manchester agenda

Plans for the 17-storey hotel close to Circle Square are set for approval, while two more contentious schemes head to May’s committee with officers “minded to approve”.

The Maldron Hotel, on an under-occupied site in Charles Street, looks likely to win approval, coming as it does in an area currently undergoing massive change, with offices, hotels and student accommodation projects of scale moving forward.

Schemes that look likely to occupy the planning committee further include plans by Stockport-based housebuilder Towerhouse Systems for 57 houses in Levenshulme, along with plans for residential and retail at the high profile Hardy’s Well site in Rusholme, which returns to committee following a site visit. The committee meets on 30 May.

MINDED TO APPROVE

Hardy’s Well, 257 Wilmslow Road

Number of storeys: Three rising to five

Number of apartments: 35

Architect: PHA Architects

Planner: Nineteen47

Developer: Eamar Developments

Plans were put forward in 2018 for a six-story building with 62 flats, but were withdrawn and amended. Under the current proposal, the pub building will remain , with an extension running to the south facing Wilmslow Road, set back to allow the Lemn Sissay poem to remain. The extension is to be in red brick, with contrasting brick soldier lintels and cills in blue glazed brick, taking a cue from the blue mosaic on the existing building. The fourth floor would be set back further. At ground floor there would be four A1/A2 units – of a total eight in the scheme – sitting behind a landscaped courtyard in the location of the existing beer garden.

To the Dickenson Road frontage there would be a further extension that would be part three storey and part four storey adjoining the pub building, rising to five going eastwards, in line with the neighbouring Telephone Exchange building. Manchester Civic Society’s objection remains, although the body welcomes the changes made.

Land off Cringle Road, Levenshulme

Architect: GA Studio

Planner: Paul Butler Associates

Developer: Towerhouse Systems

The proposal, for 57 homes close to the A6, was given a ‘minded to refuse’ verdict in April, with officers asked to produce a report covering, among other issues, loss of facilities at the Shores FOld community farm site. At appeal for a previous application, the Planning Inspector ruled that there were no “in principle” reasons for denying consent. Nevertheless, the scheme is opposed fiercely by local groups and several councillors.

According to planning documents, the developer’s offer of £60,000 in a legal agreement to allow improvements and enhancements to be undertaken at the adjacent Highfield Country Park has been increased to £150,000.

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Maldron Hotel, 60 Charles Street

Storeys: 17

Rooms: 278

Architect: SimpsonHaugh

Planner: Deloitte

Developer: CEPF II Charles Street Manchester Developments

The site, bounded by York Street, Charles Street, Mallard Street and the railway viaduct, currently houses surface parking and a four-storey building with a martial arts centre in part of the basement and the Manchester Business Centre on the upper floors. This is to be demolished and replaced by a Maldron Hotel, part of the Irish Dalata group.