Post-fire Hotspur Press plans sail through Manchester committee

Less than 30 minutes were needed for Manner’s proposal for the site, 619 student flats over 35 storeys, to be approved unanimously.

The scheme approved was much the same in its provision of space as the previously approved project, but a new consent was required following the fire which ravaged the historic – but not listed – building in June last year.

Manchester Metropolitan University had been among objectors to the scheme, citing the lack of affordable provision based on only 44% of the bedspaces being in ‘clusters’.

Those concerns were also raised by several committee members – with the acknowledgement that there is no planning policy requirement for affordable provision in student accommodation.

Some elements of the former mill, including the recognisable Percy Brothers and The Hotspur Press signage, had been due to for retention. However, they were destroyed in the fire.

The updated plans feature the recreation of the elevations facing the River Medlock, the railway arches, and Cambridge Street. The signs will also be recreated.

Manner’s new plans include the same number of storeys and flats as the previous iteration, while the 10,000 sq ft public square and divisive bronze facade, which replaced the original brick, remain. Hodder + Partners is the architect, with Turley advising on planning.

A spokesperson for Manner said: “We welcome the committee’s decision to grant planning approval of our plans for The Hotspur Press. At the heart of our proposal has always been a desire and a commitment to the city to bring forward a scheme that will sympathetically regenerate the site of The Hotspur Press.

“Thank you to the members of the local community who have stuck with us throughout the challenges that we have faced and engaged with the project team, providing positive and constructive feedback as we developed our plans.”

Stephen Hodder, founding director of Hodder + Partners, said: “The approval represents the next chapter in the regeneration of The Hotspur Press to ensure that it lives on as a major landmark in the city.

“The site is an important gateway to the city from the south and pivotal when viewed from Whitworth Street. Its regeneration will provide a faithful reinstatement of the elevations of The Hotspur Press and will replicate many of the mill’s architectural features and a new public square. I’m pleased the revised plans have been approved.”

The developer has expressed its wish to get on site this year, which might signal a line in the sand for a site that has attracted headlines regularly in recent years. Approval had been given, before an anonymous application for listing delayed the project, although the application was turned down.

Manner then changed its design from the brick façaded scheme originally approved, also cutting two storeys, announcing its new design in April 2025. And then the fire introduced a further twist to the story.

Documents relating to the project can be viewed on MCC’s planning portal, reference 138805/FO/2023.