Verdict on Jadebricks’ Manchester PBSA deferred

Despite being recommended for approval at this month’s planning meeting, the city council has decided a site visit is necessary before making a decision on the Charles Street plans.

SimpsonHaugh Architects designed the 107-bed project which would see a long-vacant site converted into purpose-built student accommodation, filling a space on the car park between the Maldron Hotel and Bracken House.

Two members of the public spoke at the meeting with objections. One, the owner of the MOT station on York Street, expressed concerns build disruption caused during the build would force the closure of his business.

The other speaker suggested construction could lead to a potential closure of a children’s nursery adjacent to the site, and claimed there had been a lack of consultation with the leaseholders of Bracken House about the plans.

Mike Bathurst managing director of Jadebricks said detailed technical assessments had been carried out to understand potential impacts on the surrounding area and showed the development could be constructed “without causing harm”, and added engagement had taken place with the children’s nursery during the planning process.

Planning chiefs warned councillors the application should not be seen as a “trade off” between student accommodation and a nursery.

The committee agreed to a site visit due to concerns about air quality during the build, and to look at the proposed development in the context of the adjacent buildings and businesses, with the plans to be determined at a future date.

A planning statement submitted by Turley with the application suggests the scheme would “support the wider housing market in the city by reducing reliance upon the general private rented sector”.

To learn more about the scheme, search for reference number 138808/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.