The conservation group has poured cold water on Salboy’s proposals for the UK’s loftiest building outside London, slamming the scheme for being too tall.
While Viadux phase two was met with excitement by Manchester’s development community, Historic England is decidedly less enthusiastic about Salboy’s plans to deliver Europe’s tallest residential in the heart of Manchester.
The organisation’s formal objection states that the scheme’s “vast height” and its proximity to “the most sensitive built ensemble in Manchester” would result in a “disruptive and pervasive presence, greatly affecting the character of the city and its most cherished buildings”.
Historic England goes on to say that the scheme’s location off Great Bridgewater Street is “the wrong place within the city for such a tall building”.
“We consider the proposal for a 76-storey tower would come at great cost to the historic environment of Manchester…causing considerable harm to historic buildings of the highest significance.”
These buildings include the grade one-listed town hall, and St Ann’s Church, among others.
The development is designed by SimpsonHaugh Architects with Deloitte advising on planning. It comprises 782 apartments within what would be the UK’s tallest building outside London.
Along with a 76-storey tower, the scheme would feature a 23-storey block comprising 133 affordable properties.
This element would be “notably less harmful” according to Historic England but still not wholly acceptable.
“It would contribute to the loss of visual connection between the former [Manchester Central] railway station and its supporting infrastructure, causing modest harm to one of Manchester’s best buildings,” the organisation said.
The application will be determined by Manchester City Council in due course.