Manchester Hall plan ‘poses security risk’
THE Ministry of Justice is objecting to the redevelopment of the Freemasons Hall in Manchester on security grounds.
Council papers show how it is worried a new rooftop terrace will pose a security threat because it will give direct views into the nearby magistrates and crown courts.
The government department wants the developer to cover the cost of fitting a security film to the court windows.
The plan is to turn the building into an events and conferencing centre called Manchester Hall. The imposing 1920s block in Bridge Street will also have a restaurant as well as office and retail space. The freemasons will continue to operate from smaller, refurbished rooms.
The application will be considered by the city’s planning committee next week, and council officers have recommended it for approval.
But in their report they are critical of the Ministry of Justice’s demands, saying it is “unreasonable, within a constantly changing and evolving city centre environment” to expect developers and building owners to bear the cost of such measures.
It added: “The successful regeneration of the City Centre is critical to the councils growth objectives. The proposed development would contribute to these objectives and the conference centre and events space would inject life and vitality into this part of the city.”
The scheme was first unveiled in 2011 when a joint venture between Ford Campbell Property Investments and Stephen Cliff’s Vision Developments was said to have taken a 999-year lease on the Bridge Street building.
However, the planning application has been submitted earlier by 36 Bridge Street Ltd and the East Lancashire Masonic Charity. Mr Cliff is a director of 36 Bridge Street but it is owned by Manchester developer Morgan Leahy.
Manchester Hall will have 15 rooms, catering for up to 200 people, that can be used for meetings, functions, weddings and events. The rest of the venue will be used for restaurants, a bar and the rooftop terrace, that will all be rented out.
