Planners to approve 28-storey residential tower
PLANNERS in Manchester are expected to approve a 28-storey residential apartment block close to the River Irwell when they meet next week.
Daren Whitaker’s LQ Developments is behind the plan for 301 apartments on the former Harry Ramsden’s plot in Regent Road. The scheme also includes six town houses.
Mr Whitaker already has a pipeline of around 1,000 apartments which are at various stages, some are approved while others going through the planning process.
A document prepared ahead of next Thursday’s meeting shows there is local opposition, mainly on the grounds of design and the potential for traffic congestion, but planning officers have recommended approval subject to a contribution towards environmental and infrastructure works in the city centre.
The report stated: “The proposal would regenerate an undeveloped site that currently has a negative impact on the area and would improve the public realm and riverside walkway. Previous approvals have established the principle of a taller building here and the form of this proposal would maximise the potential of the site in an acceptable manner.”
The developer has told the council that the inclusion of affordable homes would affect the scheme’s viability.
Mr Whitaker also has a vehicle called WB Developments (Salford) which has lodged an application for 491 apartments across four blocks, one of them 21-storeys tall, on a vacant three-acre plot nearby next to the Campanile hotel, off Regent Road.
In April another of Mr Whitaker’s companies, CS Developments (Manchester), submitted plans for a 282 apartments across two towers of 22 and 29 storeys on the banks of the River Medlock close to Whitworth Street West.
Mr Whitaker also runs Renaker Build which already has permission for 497 apartments in 31 and 19-storey towers next to the River Irwell at Greengate through another company called Pinnacle Developments (NW).
