THING OF THE WEEK

PLANNING HURDLES… Inspired by this weekend’s Grand National, the good people at Euan Kellie Property Solutions have put together a list of names for horses that could feature in The Planning Grand National. EKPS has Minded to Approve as favourite at 5/2, while the odds of success for Levelling Up are a distant 66/1. 

Credit: via planning documents

BRIDGE THE GAP… When is a bridge not a bridge? When the canal it used to cross was dammed in the 1970s of course. That is what happened to Jersey Street Bridge in Ancoats, which is now little more than a hump in the road where the Prussia Street Canal arm used to be. But not for much longer. Manchester City Council has applied to demolish the ‘bridge’ to create a more cycle and pedestrian-friendly route into the area as part of a wider redevelopment strategy. “Like a bridge over non-existent water, I will knock you down,” said council spokesperson Simon Garfunkel.

Credit: via Gary Halman

HAL TOGETHER NOW… After a combined 20 years with HOW Planning and latterly Avison Young, veteran planner Gary Halman has moved on to new pastures. He announced he was departing in an email to friends, colleagues and associates saying: “I have greatly valued all the relationships and the many friendships which I have been privileged to build over such an extended period in the North West planning world. I wish everyone much success and thank you for your support over the years.” While his decision to leave Avison Young will afford him more time with the herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle he acquired during lockdown, Halman is not ready to retire just yet. He has set up his own advisory: Gary Halman Land and Planning was incorporated in February, according to Companies House. Good Luck! 

Credit: via Aver PR

SNEEZY DOES IT… Spring has sprung at Liverpool One as Grosvenor embarks on its annual vendetta against hay fever sufferers. A living wall, freshly laid turf and “a large array of botanical and floral arrangements” have all been introduced as the shopping centre bids to entice punters to the retail complex. Whatever Grosvenor has been doing to attract customers so far seems to have worked; Liverpool One has saw a 6% uplift in spend last month compared to March 2019.  

Credit: via Savills

SILKY SMOOTH… Credit Suisse is marking the refurbishment of 70 Great Bridgewater Street with a snazzy art installation, conceived by DS.Emotion and implemented by WSP and Studio Tech. Having been occupied by Eversheds Sutherland for the last 15-years, the office is now vacant. The law firm’s departure marks the end of an era and Credit Suisse is now embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of the building. The art installation, named Woven, “represents the intertwining and coming together of the past and the future to create something that will not only become a workplace, but also a social and wellbeing space for its occupiers”, according to project manager Savills. Made of low voltage LED lighting, Woven is designed to represent strands of silk – a nod to the historic industry of the surrounding area. Indeed, the building’s new name Havelock also harks back to the silk industry – the Havelock mills occupied the site up until 1994 when they were knocked down.