Fresh images show what controversial new student block near Whitworth Park will look like

New images showing what new student accommodation in Manchester will look like have been revealed. The controversial scheme which features a nine-storey block was given the green light by Manchester councillors two weeks ago with work set to start on the site near Whitworth Park later this year.

Residents associations, tenants unions and a heritage group objected to plans which would accommodate 261 students on Moss Lane East. As well as the new block, the scheme involves converting listed Georgian villas into housing.

The planning committee delayed its decision on the application at the start of July after councillors said they 'could not envisage this building on this street'. It came after one objector told the town hall meeting on July 6 that the new nine-storey block would 'oppressive and overbearing' for residents in the area.

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Thirza Asanga-Rae, who spoke on behalf of several groups at the meeting, said: "This is very much an area for family housing with need for more."

Later that month, Hulme councillor Ekua Bayunu, who was speaking as a local resident of Moss Side, said that some families were still living in the properties on the site where the development is planned. Council bosses assured the committee that any families affected by the development would be rehoused.

Some councillors were not convinced, but most of the committee supported the application with six voting in favour. The developers behind the scheme have now released computer-generated images of the new student blocks.

The scheme will house 261 students in a mix of cluster en-suite rooms and self-sufficient studios, including a proportion of