PLANNING | No1 Castlefield and Fred Done’s Shudehill aparthotel set for green light
Manchester City Council planning officers have recommended DeTrafford’s No1 Castlefield for approval following a site visit, while Salboy’s 13-storey aparthotel on Shudehill is also on the agenda when the council’s planning committee meets next Thursday.
No.1 Castlefield, Thorncross Close
Developer: DeTrafford
Architect: Ollier Smurthwaite
Apartments: 419
Retail: 32,200 sq ft
DeTrafford’s latest Castlefield project is among its largest: the scheme includes 419 apartments across five buildings ranging between five and 16 storeys in height, alongside ground floor retail and commercial space.
The proposals had been on the planning committee’s agenda last month with a recommendation to approve, but a decision was deferred pending a site visit.
Cllr Hugh Barrett of Sharston claimed the proposals did not fully show the relationship between the building and its surrounding area.
At last month’s meeting, he said: “We would like to see what the site actually does in terms of its relationship with the area, and it would be in our best interests to see how it conforms to the requirements of the area. We would also like to see how traffic could be affected, too.”
The project has been recommended for approval, subject to a section 106 agreement for a financial contribution towards affordable housing. City planning officers said: The proposal would regenerate a site that currently has a negative impact on the area and would improve the public realm in the area.
“The form of the proposal would maximise the potential of the site in an acceptable manner.”
Zoku Aparthotel, Shudehill
Developer: Salboy & Factory Estates
Architect: 5plus
Bedrooms: 122
The 122-bed aparthotel backed by Fred Done’s property company Salboy has also been recommended for approval.
Six buildings currently on the site, which borders Back Turner Street, Soap Street, and Shudehill, will be demolished to make way for the project. These include derelict retail units and a six-storey warehouse, built in the 1920s.
5plus’ design varies between 13, eight, five, and four storeys in height, and will include 122 bedrooms, revised slightly downwards from the original planning application submitted in August this year, which included 129 bedrooms.
The building has also been reduced in height by one floor following planning amendments.
Amsterdam-based aparthotel operator Zoku is already on board as operator.
City planning officers said the proposals would “provide a landmark building on a prominent site”.
“The proposal would have a beneficial impact on the character and appearance of the Smithfield Conservation Area by putting a current gap site back into active use, reinstating the historic building line of High Street.
Mount Pleasant House, Ancoats
Developer: CERT Property
Architect: Elevate
Apartments: 28
Retail: 2,500 sq ft
Planning officers have recommended for approval Elevate’s proposals, which include a façade retention of the existing brick-clad building on Oldham Road, and a four-storey extension housing 28 apartments.
The extension will be built on land currently used as a car park next to the existing Mount Pleasant House. The project will also include two retail units on the ground floor.
Planning officers said: “The proposal would have a positive impact on the regeneration of this part of the city centre including contributing to the supply of high quality housing. Active frontage to Oldham Road will ensure that the development contributes positively to this main road route.”
The professional team includes Paul Butler Associates as heritage consultant and Zerum as planner.
