‘Eyesore carpark’ to be transformed into new city centre neighbourhood

An underused multistorey car park in Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter could be transformed into a green, sustainable city centre neighbourhood.

Manchester City Council says it will sell the 1.54acre Church Street site to Glenbrook, subject to formal decision-making and planning permission.

Under the early proposed plans, the scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes, 20% of which will be affordable, alongside new commercial opportunities and ‘high-quality public spaces’.

It is expected that the development should respect the heritage and architecture of the historic neighbourhood, helping to enhance the wider area and improve the car park site.

The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm, and to support active travel options to and through the area. A new flexible community and gallery space will also be part of the proposed development.

The commercial space within the ground floor will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.

The final legal negotiations with Glenbrook will conclude over the summer prior to public consultation to inform a future planning application.

Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter. We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.

“As part of this, we want to make sure that the businesses that make their home here reflect the independent ethos of this community, complementing and helping to enhance the wider neighbourhood. As such, this development will also celebrate the distinct architectural heritage of the Northern Quarter and honour the history of the area.

“We felt Glenbrook shared these ambitions, understood how the development of this site should sit within its context, and create a new neighbourhood that supports the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter and the wider city centre.”