Heritage boss praises Gary Neville for his "admirable honesty" after changing plans for St Michael's development

A heritage boss has praised Gary Neville for being "admirably honest" in explaining he made a mistake when first proposing two historic buildings should be bulldozed to make way for his £400m St Michael's development. She also said she respected the "passion and grit" required to pull off such a colossal project.

The scheme, which has been hailed as a ''defining regeneration project', involves the creation of hundreds of new homes, a five-star hotel, a public square, offices, and a roof-top restaurant.

In the original plans, the Sir Ralph Abercromby pub - once a favourite of the city's journalists - and part of the former Bootle Street police station would have been demolished. However, those behind the project u-turned after lobbying from conservationists.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

Both will now be kept, and the pub - which dates back to the time of the Peterloo Massacre and is said to have been the inspiration for the pub featured in hit BBC drama Life on Mars - will get a full refurb.

Speaking as further details about the scheme were unveiled last week, the former United and England star turned TV pundit and entrepreneur Neville said: "I recognise the mistake that I made."

Catherine Dewar, Historic England’s Regional Director for the North West: “Gary Neville has been admirably honest about his experiences bringing forward proposals for St Michael's in Manchester City Centre. He has acknowledged it was a mistake to consider knocking down beloved historic buildings to make way for his development, which is music to my ears as we strongly advised him against it when consulted on the proposals several years back.

"I genuinely appreciate his