Superstan changes tack after double Burnage refusal
Having twice met with rejection over its plans for a new-build apartment scheme off Kingsway, the developer is now proposing a smaller-scale office-to-resi conversion.
Superstan has lodged an application with Manchester City Council requesting permission to convert an existing office building on the site into apartments.
The scheme, if approved, would feature 24 homes, significantly fewer units than were proposed in two previous redevelopment proposals.
In 2020, the developer lost an appeal over Manchester City Council decision to reject a 147-apartment scheme at the former Kingsway Business Centre. Superstan appealed this decision but lost.
The authority also rejected the developer’s bid to build 90 flats on the same site 2022, a decision that was upheld at appeal earlier this year.
One of the main concerns the city council had was over a lack of on-site parking spaces. The latest iteration of the scheme, designed by Condy Lofthouse Architects, features 31 spaces.
To learn more about the scheme, search for reference number 138733/P3MA/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
Earlier this week, plans emerged for a 112-home build-to-rent scheme on a neighbouring site.
Seem to be application for prior approval under PDR due to conversion, which gets them off the hook for affordable housing etc, but more sensible route for applicant to take given site history.
The conversion relies quite heavily on many flats having no external windows in the bedrooms, which is never ideal.
And leaving part of the building as offices seems a bit odd – could it be a way of fudging the parking space figures? If so, not sure it will work for them, as nature of offices in out-of-centre locations generally means they need quite a lot of parking for staff and visitors.
By Rotringer
No need for flats in Burnage
By Dan
Would be better than knocking down B&M to build houses and flats – this is going through planning permission at the moment. Plus it will be getting rid of an eyesight with all its broken windows and graffiti.
By Anonymous
This is right next to a rail station. If Manchester’s going to elevate itself, then we need clusters of high density population near stations and bus routes. This will create the spend we need to bolster our local high streets. Manchester City Council is going against the policies stipulating high density within radiii of transport within “Places for Everyone”. With these sorts of decisions, most of GM’s suburbs will remain looking like mediocre nowherestown.
By Madness
Really good news ! Hope it gets approved . The site is a real eyesore , and the new homes would be such an improvement .
Would be even better if they were social housing like the new build flats built a few years ago next to the railway on Maildeth Road.
The new homes would be in a good location as next to the railway , A34 and local shops , schools and amenities.
The proposal to build houses where the B&M is though , is not a good idea . That shop is very important to the local community, and would be sorely missed .
By Anonymous