Residents pursue judicial review challenge over grant of planning permission for 33-storey apartment block in Manchester

A group of local residents have launched a crowdfunding campaign in pursuit of a judicial review of Manchester City Council's decision to approve a 33-storey residential tower.

The group claim that the almost 500-home development set to be built on Port Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter will "severely overshadow the neighbourhood, including the local primary school".

According to the crowdfunding page, the claimant is seeking "a height restriction in keeping with the existing location".

A planning application for the project was first submitted in December 2021. At the time, the developer was seeking permission for a 34-storey tower on the site, but the height of the building was later reduced following feedback from council officers.

In a report presented to the council's Planning and Highways Committee in July, a council officer estimated that the development would accommodate up to more than 840 residents who would spend around £4.1m per annum locally, equating to the creation of 41 full-time jobs.

The officer's report also estimated that the council would raise almost £900,000 per annum, and there would be an increased household spend of around £3.8m per annum in the local economy.

An environmental impact statement attached to the planning application concluded that there would be "no unduly harmful" cumulative impacts as a result of the development.

According to the crowdfunding page, the claimant is being represented by the same legal team who won the ‘Trees Not Cars’ judicial review, which blocked a former retail park from becoming a temporary car park.

The council has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey