Last ditch plea to put controversial Castlefield tower scheme on hold
A PRESSURE group formed to protect the Castlefield area of Manchester and a regeneration company have called on the city’s planning committee to adjourn a decision on a controversial plan for a 21-storey tower.
Castlefield Estates and Castlefield Forum have condemned Renaker Build’s scheme as “cultural vandalism.
The tower scheme, next to the distinctive former Congregational Chapel and the viaduct – both Grade II-listed – has been recommended for approval by planning officers and is due to be considered by the committee tomorrow (Thursday January 12).
It has attracted widespread criticism and local residents believe it will fundamentally damage the unique character of one of Manchester’s most important historic areas.
Castlefield Estates commissioned heritage experts, The Architectural History Practice, to prepare a heritage impact assessment of the scheme which roundly condemns the proposed development.
Heritage expert Neil Burton said in his report that the impact of the development will be “substantial and damaging” and it will “neither preserve or enhance the character of one of Manchester’s most important and significant Conservation Areas”.
He goes on to say that the towers would “dominate the enclosure of the Castlefield Basin, to its considerable detriment”.
Sarah Ramsbottom, managing director of Castlefield Estates said: “This is a decision of historic significance that will change the character of Castlefield forever and for what? To provide the city with a handful of luxury apartments? We are not opposed to development on this site but it is nothing short of cultural vandalism to allow this scheme to proceed.”
“In light of an independent heritage report, which completely condemns the scheme in clear planning terms, we believe that the Planning Committee can only decide this if they have seen with their own eyes its potential impact from both inside and outside the Basin. Any development here has to protect and enhance the conservation area, which this clearly does not.”
“Together with the Castlefield Forum we met with Renaker in December, who said that they would consider our concerns, but we have heard nothing since.”
The application has attracted opposition from Castlefield resident, musician and broadcaster Mike Harding, has also publicly branded the high rise scheme “a visual and environmental blight”.
Castlefield Forum chair, Carol Middleton, said: “We have also requested adjournment of the planning decision to enable a site visit to take place.
“No one in Castlefield objects to development of this site, but we do object to a five-metre high wall dwarfing the tow path and a 2- storey grey tower obscuring views of the beautiful Grade II-listed former Congregation Chapel and casting the canal basin into shade.
“We sincerely hope sense prevails and the current plans are thrown out and replaced with something more sensitive and appropriate.”
