Developer seeks to add to Didsbury Point

A DEVELOPER is seeking permission for a mixed-use block at Didsbury Point in south Manchester.

Planning officers have advised councillors to approve the four-storey building with space for 8,500 sq ft of retail and 36 flats when they meet on October 28.

This is despite objections from residents living on the nearby development which has been built on the site of the old Withington Hospital close to Princess Parkway.

Six people have complained, objecting to a potential loss of privacy, noise and overcrowding. West Didsbury Residents Association is also against the scheme saying it has too many flats.

But in a report prepared ahead of the meeting council officers said: “It is not believed that the proposed development will have a detrimental impact in terms of noise, vibration, traffic generation, road safety and air pollution or through its scale and appearance.”

The plans have been put forward by a Altrincham-based Elm Road which is owned by three property investors; Simon Kimble, Chris Ward and Ian Hall. They have bought the plot from Countryside Properties which developed the first phase at Didsbury Point. It has been designed by Gibson Architects of West Didsbury.