The £200m St Michael’s development in Manchester city centre, backed by former Manchester United footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, has been given the green light.
The St Michael’s Partnership, of which Giggs and Neville are a part, has been told that the government will not call in the plans after the council’s decision to approve the project.
Chinese firm BCEGI is a construction and equity partner in the scheme.
The development in Deansgate includes a five-star hotel with 216 bedrooms, and 189 apartments in a 39-storey tower.
The former Bootle Street police station’s facade will be retained to form part of the hotel, and the development will also feature office and leisure space.
A public square will sit in front of the refurbished Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, with a new synagogue also being built nearby.
Originally it had been planned to demolish the pub and police station but the idea met with opposition from Historic England and heritage groups and Neville altered the plans, working with new architects Hodder + Partners.
Neville said: "We are delighted that the Secretary of State has decided to not call in our revised plans for St Michael’s and that the vision for this landmark mixed-use scheme will be realised. It’s been more than a decade since the idea to regenerate a strategic city centre location was first considered – and our whole team is very pleased that we can focus on delivering this project for Manchester, bringing new high-quality development that will enhance the city’s position both nationally and internationally."
Giggs, who is head coach of Wales, added: "My focus over the past few months has very much been on my role as head coach of Wales. However, I’ve continued to stay involved with Gary and the team on St Michael’s. I genuinely believe that St Michael’s is a truly brilliant scheme and will add to the quality of buildings currently on offer and improve the most central part of Manchester – a city that I love."
