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.
Co-living: a new housing model in a broken system
After several months of rejection huge co-living developments are now coming to Manchester. Is it a new form of community living or another extractive product in the city’s ongoing property boom?
With strong links to the city’s financialised student housing sector, is this the type of housing we should be building during Covid-19 and the ongoing housing crisis?
Council gets personal in row over Central Retail Park
As expected, the redevelopment of the former Central Retail Park was approved by Manchester City Council’s executive. But it was not without drama, as terse words were exchanged between Labour councillors and the opposition Liberal Democrat representative.
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”