Proposals for a 146-bedroom student housing development on the site of the former Gamecock pub on Boundary Lane in Manchester have been refused by the council for the third time.
The move comes despite no planning policy lever available to refuse the scheme after multiple adjustments were made by the developer, Curlew Alternatives Eighth Property. The proposals had also secured backing from the planning officer.
“The scheme has changed,” Julie Roscoe, director of planning, said at the committee meeting. “I’m not here to defend the developers, but they have taken things away and amended the scheme.”
Despite that, the committee refused the scheme to avoid an “imbalance” of students in specific areas of Manchester which have traditionally been residential.
Jill Lovecy, Labour councillor representing Rusholme ward, said: “Our planning policy has to ensure that we have sustainable neighbourhoods across the city.
“Everyone wants students to belong and join in but once you get particular numbers that becomes very difficult for the existing residents. I think that issue is the main one, but the issue with the level of disamenity and whether that can be offset is something that has come out today and should be retained.”
The original plans, lodged in May 2021 but thrown out in October last year, comprised a 13-storey building featuring 261 student homes, ancillary amenity space, cycle parking, a community hub and outdoor space.
Following the first revision, the scheme was cut in size to form a part seven- part 11-storey building providing 197 student homes. However, it was still considered too big to proceed and was refused in July this year.
The final proposals have further reduced the development, designed by SimpsonHaugh, to part seven- part nine-storeys, allowing only 146 student homes, which is even less than the development allowed on appeal.
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