Manchester City Council’s planning meeting was temporarily paused and relocated yesterday after members of the public voiced their discontent over plans for a new science and technology site and student accommodation blocks in Ardwick.
Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons, Chair of the Committee, was forced to pause the meeting and move it to the Antechamber, with the public only able to watch the livestream, after repeated interruptions over the plans which were eventually approved.
After attempts were initially made to clear the public gallery, one protester shouted: “You do not live in that area but I do. We are sick and tired of this going on every single b***** time.”
Councillor Lyons, initially warning protesters, said: “This is not a pantomime. It is a planning meeting.”
But after further interruptions, Lyons made the decision to move the meeting and said: “You are letting yourselves down.”
Residents and councillors raised concerns over the plans, on land bounded by Upper Brooke Street, Cottenham Street and Kincardine Road in Brunswick, for a six to nine-storey building for science and technology and a student accommodation block up to 23-storey high.
The plans also feature a community centre and 650,000 square feet of commercial space, but no additional car parking.
More than 100 objections were raised about the tower blocking sunlight, introducing too many students to the area, and the lack of provision for car parking.
Councillor Abdigafar Muse, who represents Ardwick Ward, said: “Ardwick is not the carpark of the city.”
Meanwhile, a local resident, Kate, speaking at the council meeting, said: “You are stealing our daylight and our sky. This is not the city centre. You are destroying our city.”
The planning application was accompanied by a second proposal for three other student accommodation blocks to be built, up to 29-storeys high and comprising 983 bedrooms.
Both proposals were approved by the committee.
©Sheppard Robson
Cover photo ©Emily Cooper
