All the big developments due to be decided in Manchester this week

A new four-storey apartment block and a school in desperate need of a new basketball court are due to be decided next week.

Manchester Council’s monthly planning committee will decide whether to grant permission next week with just three items on the agenda.

A 40-home affordable housing block in Chorlton could see the loss of local business, but the demand for lower-cost housing may mean that objectors do not get the result they are seeking.

In the Ancoats and Beswick ward, basketball and netball have seen a boom in demand, which has led to a school pushing for a brand new multi-use games area (MUGA).

Then in the Northern Quarter a restaurant and bar at the bottom of a small apartment complex is hoping to get permission to be open until later.

When the planning committee meets on Thursday, October 19 they will make a decision as to whether they will approve or reject each application.

New affordable apartment block in Chorlton

Plans to build a four-storey tower block with 40 apartments in it have kicked up a fuss in Chorlton.

Objectors believe that the construction of this new development on what was a former electrical works would disrupt neighbouring businesses. The Albany Road site was the former home of Autometers Systems Limited.

If plans are approved, Bowsall Developments Ltd and Southway Housing Trust would build 21 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom apartments.

This would include parking for 20 cars as well as bike storage.

Just a stone’s throw from Chorlton Metrolink stop, this has been spotted as an ideal location for affordable housing, of which planning officers say there is a shortfall in the area.

But objectors do not believe that the plans suit the character of the area and risk worsening the issue of parking near the centre of Chorlton.

One business next to the proposed site would potentially be rendered unable to work, one objector has told the council.

According to council documents, a neighbouring recording studio, although heavily sound insulated, the proposed construction will create a level of noise and vibration that would render the business unable to work.

Installation of multi-use games area (MUGA) at East Manchester Academy

Sport England have raised objections to the plan for a new games area at a school in the Ancoats and Beswick area.

East Manchester Academy have identified an area of unused and poor quality grass playing pitch to create a MUGA to meet demand for basketball and netball.

Sport England believes that the proposal would result in the loss of a grass playfield – which are normally required to be protected.

The school said in their application that this would result in an enhanced sporting facility at the academy and expand the sporting curriculum.

The Grey Mare Lane site would also make the MUGA available for community use, they have said.

The school also stated that there would be no loss of athletics provision in East Manchester, with a throwing cage relocated off site to facilitate the MUGA.

No objections, other than from Sport England, have been submitted to Manchester Council.

Extended opening hours for basement bar under flat complex

The restaurant bar which sits beneath seven new apartments in the Northern Quarter is now seeking permission to open until the early hours.

The bar formed part of an application approved back in 2018 for four apartments above the bar and another five apartments off Spear Street at the back.

They currently have permission to open between 5pm and midnight and want to extend that to between 11am and 2.30am, with an extra hour on Fridays and Saturday.

Only two objections were raised through consultation, both stated this could create potential noise nuisance from music for residents trying to sleep.

One of the objectors called the plans ‘unacceptable’ as it would mean they are open later than Blockbusters bar which is just a few doors down.

All three applications on the agenda have been recommended for approval by the planning officers.