The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is attached.

The applications relate to the forecourt of Manchester Central. The Complex, consists of three main buildings: the former Central Station (Grade II* Listed); the Manchester International Convention Centre (MICC); and the Seminar Centre. There are landscaped forecourts at the upper and lower level, the lower one being the former station approach which fronts onto Windmill Street. The complex is bounded by Watson Street/ the Great Northern Tower residential building, Windmill Street, Great Bridgewater Street and Lower Mosley Street. Surrounding the site are the Bridgewater Hall and the Grade II* Listed Great Northern Warehouse, Radisson Edwardian Hotel and Midland Hotel. The complex is raised above street level and is separated from Lower Mosley Street by the Metrolink viaduct. 

Planning permission and listed building consent is sought to erect a stone built circular memorial structure to commemorate the Peterloo Massacre on the north east part of the forecourt. Turner Prize winning architect, Jeremy Deller, has been working in collaboration with Manchester City Council and the Peterloo Memorial Campaign Group on the design which would comprise of two sets of concentric circles. One would rise in a series of steps to a central circular top and the other would be a version of this that is flush with the surrounding paving.

In the centre of both circles would be text in a compass-like configuration referring to analogous events that have occurred in the last 100 years. The circular form is intended to act as a compass, locating places in Manchester and the wider world.

Concerns have been raised about access to the memorial, especially by people with disabilities and wheelchair users.  The applicant had undertaken a revision of the scheme that  would allow for greater, but not full, access for people unable to climb to the top of the memorial.  Officers confirmed that this was a modest adjustment, but would deliver a significant material outcome.

A representative of the objectors spoke to the Committee and said that they supported the idea of a memorial but that it needed to be in the right form.  She pointed out that many of the people who survived with injuries after the Peterloo Massacre had been left with what would today be seen as significant disabilities, and that the memorial should take this into full account.  She said that Peterloo had been an event of international significance, and that a memorial should be fully inclusive and not discriminatory.  However, she did confirm that they had met with the applicant and that the concerns raised had been listened to and fully considered.  She added that the applicant had shown a commitment to making the memorial as accessible as possible, and the redesign would make this as participatory as possible.  She added that conditions should be in place to make this scheme a fit and proper memorial.

The applicant spoke to the Committee and said that the design of the memorial was intended to be as inclusive as possible, and was intended to be an assembly point and an interactive structure.  He said that there was clearly an issue about access to the memorial, and he was profoundly affected by the issues raised, and that the redesign was intended to make the structure more accessible.  He admitted that the design is not perfect, but that at this late stage it would be impossible to completely re-think the structure in time for the 200 year anniversary in August 2019. 

Officers confirmed that it has proved difficult to find a suitable site for the memorial given the built up nature of the immediate area.  The remodelling of the forecourt of Manchester Central had allowed for an area to be made available for the monument, within sight of the original location of St Peter’s Field, the site of the Massacre.  The area available is tightly constrained, and full access for people with limited mobility would not be possible given the limitations of the site.

The Committee welcomed the proposals, and agreed that this was a very important event, not just for the people of Manchester but internationally.  They also welcomed the way that the design had been modified to allow for as full access as possible.  The Committee noted the comment by Manchester Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas Panel, who questioned whether the memorial should be more figurative, but concluded that while a figurative memorial would be acceptable, the current design proposals accorded with all relevant Core Strategy policies.

The Committee also asked that display boards be placed close to the memorial to explain to visitors the significance and importance of Peterloo both locally and nationally.  This will be an excellent educational opportunity, and officers confirmed that the educational potential of the memorial in relation to the events of 16 August 1819 would be maximised.  The Committee also noted the contribution of the Peterloo Memorial Campaign and thanked them for the work that they had done to ensure that the list of those killed was as accurate as possible. 

Officers confirmed that display boards would be provided, and while this was not part of this application, the intention was that the educational opportunity would be maximised.  Officers also emphasised that while access to the monument would be provided, there would not be the possibility of full access at this stage, but that access would be as good as it could possibly be.

Decision

The approve the application subject to the conditions and reasons in the report and the late representation.