Architect of Boris Johnson’s government’s controversial overhaul of the English planning system, Christopher Katkowski QC is representing Manchester City Council in a judicial review of the local authority’s future use of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats.
Burnham urged to act against government’s proposed planning system changes
Open letter calls on Andy Burnham, and the leaders of the conurbation’s ten boroughs, to “intervene” in the government’s plans to change the UK planning system, which the campaigners call an “emergency for communities and local authorities across England.”
‘It’s like Grand Designs comes to Oldham’ — inside Oldham’s first community led housing project
Locked out of the housing market, locals in Saddleworth set up a not-for-profit company to build beautiful bespoke affordable homes. The project shows the huge potential of community led projects to build better homes and strengthen local communities.
Greater Manchester Pension Fund takes £375m hit due to oil and gas investments
Research reveals Greater Manchester Pension Fund’s fossil fuel investments devalued by £375m over the last 3 years, casting doubt on the Fund’s claim that it is merely fulfilling its fiduciary duty to employers and pensioners by investing in gas and oil companies.
Pressure grows on Andy Burnham to scrap plans for school-based police officers
Deputy metro mayor Beverley Hughes insists SBPOs will create “positive relationships between young people and the police”. Campaigners say police presence in schools causes “harm”, urging the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to “divest from penal approaches”.
Greater Manchester to proceed with franchising bus network
Bringing buses under public control is ‘better value for money’ for the city region in spite of ‘severe’ impact of Covid-19 on bus patronage and revenues, Greater Manchester leaders hear at a meeting this week.
Manchester’s Planning Committee approves luxury hotel and defers controversial Deansgate office block
Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee agreed plans to build a £27m luxury hotel in Piccadilly, while also ruling on a site visit to a controversial proposed 17-storey Deansgate office block.
Manchester’s teachers and Co-op Academies Trust clash over school safety
Workers at Co-op Academy Manchester write to headteacher and the Co-op Academies Trust calling for school closures and better working conditions, while Andy Burnham lends support for partial closures under a “tier system” during the winter.
Protestors blast Manchester Metropolitan University for attempting to fence off Ryebank Fields
Manchester Metropolitan University workmen attempted to put up permanent fencing around Ryebank Fields yesterday morning allegedly because of the presence of “potentially hazardous material”. Protestors argue hazardous material is buried deep underground, and that MMU’s planned development and resulting disturbance of the land is the real cause for concern.
No luxury offices on former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, locals tell Manchester city council
90% of locals in survey thought the area did not need any more luxury offices, as campaign group Trees Not Cars brand Manchester city council’s public consultation on future of site of former Central Retail Park “tick box activity”