Views tries again with £10m Curry Mile resi 

Manchester City Council refused the 42-home Wilmslow Road scheme last year for a host of reasons, which the developer has sought to address. 

Views has resubmitted redevelopment proposals for a corner plot on the Curry Mile that was formerly a tyre-fitters and, more recently, a café. 

Under the developer’s plans, the plot at 98 Wilmslow Road would be transformed into a four-storey residential block designed by Ollier Smurthwaite Architects. 

As well as 42 apartments, the ground floor would feature three commercial units totalling 5,600 sq ft. 

The latest version of the scheme has been scaled back in height compared with the refused plans to address concerns raised by planning officers about the project being “overly dominant”, while the number of car parking spaces has been increased from 12 to 15 in a bid to ease worries about an increase in on-street parking on nearby roads. 

In addition, parking surveys undertaken by Views concluded that implementing the Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) in the neighbouring streets, which has been moved back several times and is now due to be activated in January 2024, will create “significant spare capacity” once visitors to local businesses are prohibited from parking on residential streets.

Patrick Sheridan, senior development manager at Views said he believes the revised proposals address the concerns raised previously.

“The local area suffers from excessive on-street parking during the day and evenings. However, the RPZ will really help tackle this issue. We commissioned parking surveys of the local area, these concluded up to 100 on-street parking spaces will become available for local residents once the RPZ is implemented.

“In addition, as part of our planning application we are proposing a car club bay adjacent to the site, two years free car club membership for our residents and £40 credit for each new resident, as well as restricting new residents from applying to the Council for an on-street parking permit.

Sheridan added: “Our proposals will deliver much-needed new homes and a retail offering to support this ever-growing, diverse and vibrant Manchester community.”

According to a viability assessment accompanying the application, the scheme has a GDV of £10.2m. AshtonHale is advising Views on planning matters.

To learn more about the scheme, search for reference 138662/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.