Work at Princess Street has stopped.

We now have official confirmation from West Properties that they are suspending work on the Princess Street site.

The sole shareholder of West Properties, Donal  Mulryan said work on Origin had been halted while the interior design of the anchor component, the W Hotel, was finalised, and he expected work to begin again within four to five months.

"It is about 12 months behind schedule, but both sides are committed to the project and we feel 2011 is a good year to be opening a hotel in Manchester," said Mr Mulryan. 

"Getting the W hotel was a coup, and it is a very, very viable product for the site.

This is an extract from a recent article in the Manchester Evening News dated 10th May 2009.

I had spoken to a director at West on 31st March 2009 and was told completion was on track for September 2010 and that work on the site would recommence in two months.

Chris

Meeting with Planning dept.

----- Original Message -----

From: christopher.speck@bt.com

Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 9:17 PM

Subject: meeting with Angela Leckie - report back

I met with Angela Leckie in Planning Dept today.

I provided her with the background of the previous campaign and how the lack of transparency, untruths and so called consultations increased the anger and frustration about this development. This led to the widespread criticised of the Council in allowing this development and why any further Applications for this site will certainly be criticised. 

I made clear few were anti development and that W hotels would be good for the area. But was the extra height needed? Angela noted the idea to downscale bedrooms a small amount and so keep within 13 storeys. I even mentioned West losing a few floors off the Apt block if W hotels wanted southerly views……Angela did not note this down !

l said the public space sold the original Application - but it would be a turning circle. Also the Big concern is - Where will it end up? 

Angela says they are considering a Personal consent for W Hotels. So if they then pull out etc then the new Application would no longer apply - so West cannot use just to get extra floors.

I asked where the Win was for anyone other than West and W hotels. S106 etc. Angela mentioned merit of W as a premium 5* so extras floors maybe supportable. But I challenge W as 5*. Angela said told distinction between 4 and 5 hotel is if there is 24 hr room service. Can we check this out ???     

EH - Angela says discussions about materials were occurring but knew nothing of increased height discussions on other 2 buildings. But nothing to stop West Applying. Suggested they would need an extra Win or merit for the Council to consider any increases elsewhere on the site.

Angela mentioned reduction in height on apt block was the concession before. I made clear this was such a small change (half a floor?) it was an insult. I mentioned outstanding right to light issues with Granby Village and Cotton Mill on Whitworth street - so any increased in height of apt block would further impact this - and harm Regency.

Conservation and Historic Buildings Panel got the new Application this week and therefore no report back yet.

Angela knew road access was issue and highways were looking at it including Regency's half of Venice Street. Brazil St would be major in and out to the site. I raised issue of lots more traffic to premium hotel and bollards etc to access turning circle may cause traffic chaos on Brazil Street / Venice St especially as 338 underground spaces to serve + Regency and 42-44 car access and Amazon House. She did not seem to be aware of the existing residents' car parking access ! 

Privacy. I specifically mentioned roof lights on 42-44 - plus extra impact of overlooking that increased height would bring to all living close to the hotel. 

Many objections received already mention extra shadowing on Canal Street. Analysis shows there will be more - but not much more. However what I saw showed large impact of shadowing on Sackville Park later in the day. So I raised this. I think the Aids monument will be increasingly impacted. I argued there was already too much shadowing from 13 storey hotel (Angela did not know originally only 11 storeys in original plans of Summer 06).     

A lack of verified images were already on Angela's list to raise with Simpson. Any news images would be added on line. The ones in the new app show the tip of the hotel peeking above the office and Apt block. I said they were a waste of paper and repeated the issue that the Applications would be much less offensive if West and Simpson etc were honest about the impact. Also statements about how bad the area currently is are how this development will 'regenerate' are just untrue and deeply offensive to residents who have created a vibrant community and regenerated long before Simpson and West came along trying far too hard to justify their plans.

I asked to speak at the Planning Committee and also requested a site visit from the Committee. Suggested the key viewing point would now be from Canal Street. The Tower cranes on site also now show the height impact more readily - compared to the site visit in Feb 07 from within the site.

In summary I felt Angela was sympathetic to the concerns of residents and I got the impression this New Application is not a done deal as it stands or robust enough for Planning to Approval as is. So maybe we can all help make a real difference this time around........

Regards
Chris Speck

Application update

West Properties jointly with an intended hotel operator for the Origin
site have recently applied to add 12.7 metres (4 extra floors) to the
hotel building - making it a colossal 17 storeys - and thereby the
highest building planned for Origin

It is seriously concerning that ANY increase to the heights of any of
the buildings due to be built on the Origin site should be considered
justifiable in any circumstances. And in this instance the impact of
this towering building n on Canal Street and the area in general will be
considerable. 

The levels of planning objections raised in 2006 against this scheme
were unprecedented. Local residents and the public were appalled that
their mass opposition only achieved a miniscule reduction in height of
one of the buildings before the scheme was waived through by Planners
and Approved.

This rebuff against the local communities left a bitter after taste -
but it is now heartening that this rebuff from the Council will not stop
many who objected last time from raising their objections again now.

So please raise your concerns and objections NOW and hopefully the
collective voice will force the Developer and the Council to reconsider.
See previous post for details how to do this.

Its suggested to spell out to the Council that the increased height and
the dilution of the benefits the original scheme (the public gardens -
now to be a car turning circle) undermine the previous Approval so
considerably and therefore should not be considered justifiable in any
circumstances.

And where will this end? What is to stop further Applications until the
Approved scheme is dwarfed by a series of extra additions? Enough is
most definitely enough !

Chris Speck

How to make a represntation.

The official MCC site for information about the planning application can be accessed by clicking here.  In case of any problems, the main search page is here, enter application reference 87671.  Once in the application see the associated documents, the list of which is in pages of 20 at a time by default.

Closing date for representations is officially 17th October 2008, but all comments received by the case officer prior to the planning committee meeting will be considered.

Chris

Latest proposals

Hi,

I am posting to update everyone what our latest understanding is of the new plans.  The application is very hard to understand as a lot of the documents submitted are out of date, and I am still not sure all documents have been uploaded to the planning website.

The hotel is to be operated by a group called Starwood who have a lot of very upmarket hotels around the world under various brands.  This hotel will belong to the 'W hotels' brand. Membership to their Preferred Guest scheme is free with an American Express platinum card.

The reason for the changes to the plans for the site is listed as "The approved building was developed for a three star/mid-range hotel operator.  Design adjustments to the hotel building are now required to accommodate the requirements of the Starwood Hotel Group particularly as they relate to the W hotel, a five star plus brand."  

Talking about other W hotel properties, of which this will be the first in the UK "From the range of potential hotel development locations across Manchester City Centre, the Origin scheme at the heart of the Village community was the hotel's preferred location. The vibrant character of the Village, its diversity, its nightlife and the quality of its built environment are all major factors. The site has parallels with a number of successful existing W Hotels which have located in 'off pitch' locations, often integrating with older buildings or neighbourhoods, and which have in a number of occasions successfully integrated with existing gay and lesbian communities.".  Their latest Pride event list is found here.

The main proposed changes are:

• An extra 4 storeys, or 12.7m in height for the hotel building.
• Changing the central area to permit drop-off at the hotel entrance.

I will update here with more details of the changes as I can confirm them.

Chris

Another planning application made.

This post is to inform everyone it has come to my attention that West have submitted an application to Manchester City Council planning department regarding changes to the Petros Car Park development, or Origin as it is now called.

Official details of what has been requested are not yet available, but it only affects the hotel part.

I note that the appplicaiton is by West and 'Starwood' hotels, for the erection of a 17 storey hotel.

The planning reference number for MCC website is 087671. No documents are available as yet.

Chris

Final decision reached by council.

I can announce that on 27th March 2007, the council officially approved the latest plans for the development of the Petros car park.

On 15th February the planning committee were 'minded to approve' subject to further negotiaitons. West did modify the plans to reduce the impact on the facade that borders Regency House by a token 3 metres (yes that is not a typo, three metres) on the corner joining Whitworth Street, resulting in the height of the tallest part of the building increasing.

Work has begun today clearing trees, and the car park will close for ever at the end of the week.

Regards,
Chris G

(Update 31st March: trees are down, but closing the car park has been delayed)