Salboy tries again at Shudehill

The Fred Done-backed developer has submitted a planning application for its reworked residential scheme on Back Turner Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Salboy was denied planning permission in February 2018 for a 13-storey aparthotel to be operated by Zoku, the decision coming after several deferrals and going against officer recommendation – the committee failing to be swayed despite several changes being made throughout the planning process.

The developer, which is working with Jon Matthews Architects, then announced its intention to return with a residential project. Public consultation events were held in September and October, while further meetings were held with interested neighbours.

Later in 2018, it released three options for the site, with the common theme being a fully glazed tower fronting Shudehill, acting as a gateway to the Northern Quarter, and a shorter brick building facing High Street.

Two of the options included the demolition of the existing warehouse on site and two of them included a pocket park. It is the main elements of Option 3, which included both retention of the warehouse and the introduction of a pocket park, that have won through, along with some elements of Option 2 on the setting back of the building and the pocket park.

This selection means that the tower will be 17 storeys, including a mezzanine level, as opposed to the 11 or 12 under the alternative plans.

Feedback, Salboy said, has been heavily in favour of trying to retain as much of the warehouse as possible, which has led to a reimagined design that is “now more sympathetic to its location”. The pocket park element has also been well received, the developer said.

Situated between Back Turner Street, Shudehill and High Street, the proposals provide a residential-led development comprising of 65 one, two and three-bed apartments. There will also be 1,750 sq ft of commercial floorspace at ground level, with possible uses being retail, office space, a gym or cinema.

Matthews said: “Retaining the core warehouse on Back Turner Street is certainly a challenge from an architectural and construction point of view. It has meant that we have had to rework the newer elements of the scheme slightly to make it viable. At its highest point, the scheme is 9m higher than any previous design for the site, although by city centre standards, this is still not particularly tall.

“The massing, bulk and slab-like nature of the previous application was also far more significant and consistent across the length of the site. In contrast, the new tower’s visual impact has been significantly reduced through the design of a tall, slender and elegant form. This is further refined and managed through a series of well-considered cladding materials that frames the activity and life of the building.

“It is now a truly unique and striking building for the area and is a great example of working closely with the local community to achieve a design that appeals to the vast majority.”

Simon Ismail, director at Salboy, said: “We are from Manchester and respect the unique character and buzz of the Northern Quarter immensely. Since our first public consultation back in September, we have worked closely with the local community and invested additional capital and resources to extend our consultation activity.

“While our original plans have changed significantly with the decision to retain much of the existing building on site, we are genuinely delighted and proud to now submit plans that we feel are of benefit to everyone in the community. This scheme will allow people to put down roots and contribute to a growing community.”

Planning advice on the scheme has been provided by Euan Kellie Property Solutions.