Defence Online

Plans to build an 11-storey apartment complex in Manchester’s Northern Quarter look set to be approved.Red Lion St’s application relates to a T-shaped site bounded by Union Street, Red Lion Street, Church Street and Catlow Lane.It has largely been vacant for a number of years and shares a boundary with five-storey residential building and a four-storey commercial premises, which is used as a tattoo studio.The application to be considered by Manchester City Council is for a three-, five-, seven-, eight- and 11-storey building comprising 38 apartments above three ground floor commercial units.Red Lion St’s scheme would include 12 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit.The three ground floor units would operate as either a mix of either shops, restaurants or office space and comprise a total of 2,150 sq ft. It is hoped that the proposed eatery would “complete the informal square which has formed around the external seating area used by Solita”.As part of the project, the facade of 2 Union Street would be retained and restored following the demolition of the rear of the building.The height and mass of the development would create a series of blocks which would be staggered and of varying heights to respond to the surrounding urban grain and context.A report submitted to ‘s planning committee said the proposal would develop an “underutilised, previously developed site” and provide a complex which would be “consistent with the aim of bringing forward economic and commercial development”.Manchester City Council has been recommended to approve the scheme.