Castlefield campaigners seeking legal advice after Javid knockback
Campaigners bidding to prevent a multi-million-pound development of two towers in the historic Castlefield Basin in Manchester city centre have vowed to continue their fight after Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid decided not to call in the scheme.
Castlefield Estates and the Castlefield Forum have been told of Javid’s decision on the proposal for Renaker Build’s construction of 12 and 21-storey blocks at 2-4 Chester Road which is in the Castlefield Conservation Area.
He has said all planning decisions on the development should be made solely by Manchester City Council which voted to approve it on February 9.
The two organisations are arguing that the historic area, which contains the world’s first passenger railway, the world’s first cut canal, and arguably the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, famous for its low-rise red brick warehouses will be blighted by the two light coloured high rise blocks.
Carol Middleton, chair of Castlefield Forum, described the news as “extremely disappointing”.
“We believed we had a strong case for this scheme to be called-in on a number of grounds,” she said.
“We still firmly believe that this development does not preserve or enhance the Conservation Area and so should not be built in its current form.
“It is completely different in character, height, shape, colour and materials to all other buildings in this part of the canal basin. These light-coloured towers will be a blight on the landscape and future generations will question why they were allowed to be built here.”
Sarah Ramsbottom, managing director of Castlefield Estates, went further when she said: “It is disgraceful that the city council can allow a scheme such as this to be built in a Conservation Area.
“It should be a source of deep shame for the council that this development will blight Castlefield for generations and this blight will be inflicted with the blessing of the council.
“We are currently seeking legal advice about any further avenues we can pursue and we will continue to scrutinise the details of this scheme every step of the way.
“Castlefield is the jewel in Manchester city centre’s crown because there are people here who really care and work tirelessly to ensure it is a desirable area in which to work, live and play.
“It seems some elements of the Council do not seem to care about Castlefield, but despite this, together with Castlefield Forum, we will continue to be guardians of Castlefield, including pursuing the feasibility of the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.”
Renaker Build have been contacted by TheBusinessDesk for comment.
