Planning authorities in Manchester are likely to grant approval for a controversial 55-storey student accommodation tower next week.
Manchester City Council’s planning and highways committee last month deferred a decision on the proposed Student Castle scheme, which would see it demolish part of a multi-storey car park on Great Marlborough Street and build a tower with 853 student housing units and workspace for small businesses.
Following a site visit, the £130m project is back in front of the committee at next week’s planning meeting and recommended for approval.
The development will have sections of 55, 11 and four storeys. Its incubator workspaces will be open to students as well as local businesses.
Council officials say the development of the brownfield site would bring “significant economic, social and environmental benefits”, noting that the low-carbon building would replace existing car-parking spaces.
The scheme has been through three rounds of neighbour notifications and has been amended to address various objections. Among the most vocal has been the Macintosh Village Management Company, representing nearby residents, several of whom use the car park. The height has also been criticised by two Deansgate ward councillors.
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