Yesterday, Mancunian property developer Views learned Manchester City Council has refused its planning application to transform 98 Wilmslow Road, on the curry mile in Rusholme, into a new mixed-use development with 5,500 sq ft of commercial and restaurant space on the ground floor and 42 apartments on three upper floors. The decision was made under delegated powers.
The proposed development of the site, which was previously a tyre-fitters and most recently a café, was the subject of a public consultation in autumn last year and the plans received a positive response, which acknowledged its design quality and appropriateness in the local area.
Patrick Sheridan
Patrick Sheridan, Senior Development ManagerWe are disappointed to learn our proposals for 98 Wilmslow Road have been refused, despite the positive feedback from the local community and us having responded to requests from planning officers to make several changes to the scheme since our original submission. We felt the amendments and additional information submitted demonstrated the high-quality and appropriate scale of the scheme, which would not have negative impacts on adjoining properties or the community.
“We are now reviewing our options, including taking the matter to appeal, and we expect to decide in the next few weeks.”
“The local area currently suffers from excessive on street parking, during the day and in the evenings, however Manchester City Council are in the process of implementing a Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) to tackle this issue. We commissioned parking surveys of the local area and it was concluded up to 100 on street parking spaces will become available once the RPZ is implemented. In addition, as part of our planning application we proposed a car club bay adjacent to the site, two years free car club membership and £40 driving credit for each new resident, as well as restricting new residents from applying to the Council for an on-street parking permit.”
“We remain very excited about our plans for 98 Wilmslow Road. Our proposals will deliver much needed new homes and a retail offering to support this ever growing, diverse and vibrant Manchester community.”
The site’s location on Wilmslow Road makes it a highly sustainable site, it is on the beeline cycle network, providing a nine minute cycle to the city centre and the closest bus stop is just 50m away providing easy connections to the city centre and Oxford Road train station.
Views proposed scheme comprises six new ground floor commercial units, twelve one bedroom, twenty-seven two bedroom and three, three bedroom apartments. The final development will have a GDV in the region of £11.5 million.
Designed by Manchester based Ollier Smurthwaite Architects the building will respect the local historical architecture of the area, especially the curved elevation on Grandale Road, a homage to the former Wilmslow Road depository (1870’s-1980’s).