Defence Online

The residential-led transformation of the New Islington area of Manchester could be about to move forward with councillors recommended to approve apartment schemes from Manchester City’s owner and the founder of YO! Sushi.Next Thursday (22 September), Manchester City Council’s planning committee will discuss two eye-catching developments in New Islington.The first involves a full planning application by Manchester Life Development Company, a joint venture between Manchester City owner Abu Dhabi United Group and Manchester City Council, to construct a part-ten-storey and part-four-storey building on a vacant plot bounded by Old Mill Street, Weybridge Road, New Islington Marina and Coppersmith Road. There would be 201 private rented sector apartments in total.The Buttress Architects-designed PRS scheme represents the sixth and final part of the first phase of the Manchester Life project to create more than 1,000 homes in the Ancoats and New Islington areas. Planning consent has already been granted for residential proposals at Murrays’ Mills, New Union Street, Hood Street, Jersey Street and Blossom Street.It is proposed to create 64 one-bed apartments, 127 two-bed apartments and ten three-bed apartments on a private rental model. There would also be 64 parking spaces.Ahead of the meeting, a report prepared by councillors has advised that the proposal would “contribute positively to the ongoing regeneration of New Islington with a high-quality residential development” and recommended that it should be approved.