Simpson's Castlefield scheme rejected
- Published: 21 January 2008 12:05
- Author: Richard Waite
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- Last Updated: 21 January 2008 12:41
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Ian Simpson Architects' revised residential proposals for Jackson's Wharf in Castlefield, Manchester, have been rejected – to the delight of heritage campaigners.
Protesters – including Take That star and ex-local boy Jason Orange – claimed the 117-flat waterside scheme would damage any chance the Castlefield canal-basin area had of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On Thursday (17 January) the city's planning committee went against its own officer's recommendations to back the huge project for developer Peel Holdings by turning down the designs.
According to the Pride of Manchester website – which had drummed up support against the proposals – the scheme was 'the first to be rejected in the city centre in more than five years.'
It went on to say: '[Had] the designs been approved they would have more or less ended Castlefield's tentative status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.'
Peel Holdings was unavailable for comment and it is unknown whether the developer will appeal against the decision.
