Car park permission sought for former BBC site

PERMISSION is likely to be granted this week to turn one of Manchester’s biggest development sites into a car park.

Essex-based Total Car Parks has applied retrospectively to a run a car park at the former BBC site on Oxford Road – as it has been doing for several months without permission.

The six-acre space, which was levelled last year, is owned by Manchester-based developer Realty Estates which also has a car park at the former Boddington’s brewery, another prime “gateway” site.

The city council views the land as a key part of its plans for “The Corridor” – a strip of commercial, cultural and education facilities running from Manchester University into the city that are at the heart of Manchester’s knowledge economy. Last year Realty unveiled plans for an 800,000 sq ft mixed use development.

The current application is for a temporary change of use to a 563 space car park with pay and display machines for a temporary two-year period.

According to a document filed ahead of a decision at Thursday’s planning committee meeting, city centre councillor Kevin Peel has objected, saying the unauthorised use shows a “total lack of consideration for the city council, the planning process and surrounding residents”.

He has urged that consent is limited to one year on the basis that the land is a prime development site and extended use as a car park could have a detrimental effect on other developments in the area and wider regeneration plans. Planning officers appear to agree and have recommended it is approved, but just for one year.

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