The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

(Councillor Flanagan re-joined the meeting for consideration of this application)

The application 124972/FO/2019 was for the phased creation of around 2.4 ha (6 acres) of public park, including hard and soft landscaping and new bridges across the River Medlock; erection of 9 storey office development above basement with mezzanine and plant level (Class B1) with ground floor Class A1 (Shop), A2 (Financial and Professional Services), A3 (Café and Restaurant), A4 (Drinking Establishment) B1 (Office) uses, rooftop amenity spaces and terrace levels, associated public realm and riverside walkway; erection of an eleven storey Multi-Storey Car Park to provide 581 car parking spaces with associated landscaping; highways and infrastructure works including the creation of new junction from London Road to provide access to the multi-storey car park (MSCP) (Use Class Sui Generis); works to Baring Street, stopping up of Bond Street and Nether Street (alongside associated Traffic Regulation Orders to manage unrestricted parking to Buxton Street, Berry Street and Travis Street (to be delivered and implemented prior to the MSCP becoming operational)) alongside enabling works comprising phased demolition and site clearance, earthworks including re-profiling and construction of retaining walls for the land bounded by the Mancunian Way to the south, Mayfield Depot to the north, Baring Street to the west and Hoyle Street to the east. The site is located on Land bounded by Mayfield Depot Building, Hoyle Street, Mancunian Way (A635), Baring Street, Buxton Street & Berry Street (inclusive) and McDonald Hotel Along with associated Roads and Junctions, Manchester, M1 2AD.

The application 125248/FO/2019 was for the Erection of a thirteen storey building (including ground and mezzanine) comprising office space (Use Class B1) above flexible uses at ground and mezzanine levels (Class A1 (Shop), A2 (Financial and Professional Services), A3 (Café and Restaurant), A4 (Drinking Establishment), /D1 (Art Gallery, Museum and Conference & Training Centre)/D2 (Cinema)/ Theatre (Sui Generis)) with rooftop amenity spaces and external terrace levels, internal ancillary storage spaces for waste, cycles, rooftop plant, back of house functions and associated landscaping works. The site is located on land adjacent to Mancunian Way (former Mayfield Goods Yard), Baring Street Office 2, Manchester, M1 2AD.

The Planning Officer drew the Committee’s attention to the late representation that had been submitted for application 124972/FO/2019 which provided further information on representations made.

The meeting was addressed by a representative of the applicant. He explained that at the heart of this application was the creation of a new public park in Manchester, with a river running through it. The park was felt to be an essential element of the application that would see the world-class regeneration of the mostly derelict Mayfield site, in accordance with the Mayfield Strategic Regeneration Framework. This new district would create a community in the city with a mix of employment, shopping, leisure and homes. It would result in up to 10,000 new jobs. The historic depot ay Mayfield was to be retained and restored as part of the scheme.

The committee welcomed the application for the redevelopment of this important area at the edge of the city centre, and the transformation that it would bring about. They discussed the objections that had been made and the extent of the car parking that was being proposed.

Decision

To approve both applications subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report.