A 54 storey student tower, dubbed the ‘brick tombstone’, a heritage clashing Deansgate office complex and a proposal to repurpose an iconic Manchester landmark all received scrutiny at this month’s planning committee.
The Factory arts venue faces huge funding shortfall
Originally costing £110m, The Factory arts centre is now expected to cost £186m and the project is currently tens of millions short of its target. Manchester City Council say they can’t fill the gap because of the dire financial straits they face due to Covid.
Manchester bus drivers poised to ballot on strike action as Unite and Go North West talks collapse
Unite will ballot 485 bus drivers on strike action if Go North West does not return to the negotiating table. The decision to consider balloting was made in response to the bus company announcing it will no longer negotiate with the union and will instead consult drivers individually.
Legal advisor to Boris Johnson’s planning reforms represents Manchester City Council in judicial review over Central Retail Park
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.”
The Big Breakfast launches cookbook Crowdfunder to feed destitute migrants
Determined to not let the pandemic prevent them helping struggling migrants the Big Breakfast are crowd funding for a cookbook to help feed them.
Hulme tenants launch Crowdfunder for professional planning advice to oppose student flat development
Block the Block is a campaign started by residents of Hulme who are opposed to the building of high-rise student blocks, on a plot of land that has already had two similar proposals rejected by the council’s planning committee.
Their Crowdfunder aims to pay for a planning consultant to help prepare their case against this new proposal.
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.
Furious residents condemn council decision to build over New Islington Green
Yesterday Manchester City Council’s planning committee approved a proposal to build five offices on New Islington Green in Ancoats, despite 94% of those responding to the consultation objecting to the plans and 5,000 signing a petition against development.
Rail workers strike in Longsight over Alstom Christmas pay-freeze
Maintenance staff at Manchester’s Longsight train depot have walked out and are set for multiple 24 hour strikes across December over an international pay freeze imposed by train manufacturer Alstom.