Hundreds of student flats approved but controversial block rejected for third time

Plans to build accommodation for almost 1,500 students across Manchester has been approved. But the planning committee has voted against a controversial student block for a third time as the campaign against the scheme continues.

The 11-storey tower planned on the site of the former Gamecock pub in Hulme has been knocked back by councillors again after local residents repeated their concerns about more student accommodation being built in the area. But plans to house 261 students near Whitworth Park were approved despite objections from residents' groups about a nine-storey tower in the proposal.

The committee also approved plans to build three towers near Piccadilly Station which will accommodate 1,224 student beds. Manchester City's £300m expansion of the Etihad Stadium was also given the green light.

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Plans for a 14-storey office block which involves demolishing a Victorian building in the city centre were also given the go ahead despite objections from national heritage bodies. And a seven-storey office and laboratory at Manchester Science Park was also approved after the developer behind it assured the committee that no animal testing would take place in the building.

Councillors also approved 22 new affordable homes in Higher Blackley. Here are all of the decisions made by the planning committee on Thursday (July 27).

The controversial student block in Boundary Lane, which has already been rejected by the committee twice, dominated the first hour of the meeting. Local residents - many of whom have been involved in the Block the Block campaign opposing the 11-storey tower which started in 2020 - and their elected