The passing of two controversial building proposals in Manchester raises the question – who does the city’s development model serve? A land commission for Greater Manchester could provide answers to that question and point the way to a more equitable use of land in the future.
‘We’re going to stay here for as long as it takes’ – Ryebank Fields camp occupiers demand a development rethink
Setting up a protest camp in Ryebank Fields, campaigners are calling for Manchester Metropolitan University to rethink their plans to sell the land for development. The camp occupiers call for community control of the land to use as a recreational green space and a haven for wildlife.
Are council deals with developers offering best value? Research paper questions development policy and calls for greater transparency
New research paper investigating the sale of public land in Manchester to property developers, questions whether the public are getting value for money in these deals.
Authors highlight lack of available information on development deals and call for a Land Commission. Manchester City Council responds.
Why planning is political
Andrea Sandor explores how community-led developments are putting democracy at the heart of the planning process.
Guest article first published in Red Pepper.
Greater Manchester must leave green belt post-Covid and build on brownfield instead
Storm Christoph showed that Manchester is susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme weather events, which are forecast to become more regular occurrences.
Greater Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal argue that we must abandon the idea of developing on greenbelt, and instead embrace bold alternatives which reflects the urgency of the climate crisis﹣starting with sites like Carrington Moss.
High-rise student flat ‘tombstone’ of Oxford Rd deferred and office block on Deansgate rejected
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.
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.
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.
Campaigners fear for the fate of these popular poplar trees near Ryebank Fields
Campaigners can’t get a clear answer from Trafford Council and Manchester Metropolitan University about which side of the border these trees lie. They fear the trees could be felled to accommodate a controversial proposed development on Ryebank Fields. Andrea Sandor discovers the location of the boundary is indeed under discussion.
Raising the Roof on Housing: a round-up of our member directed investigation
The Raising the Roof on Housing series was funded by the generous donations of our supporters in a Crowdfunder we ran last year and its theme was chosen by Meteor Community Members.