Catalogue Of Decay: Manchester Council's Long List Of Northern Quarter Heritage Concerns

A Manchester city council report intended to allay fears that the rapid growth of Manchester's Northern Quarter is endangering its character and heritage reveals concern about the future of 19 significant sites.

The report, presented to the council's ruling Executive on 12 December comes at the end of a year of growing anxiety about threats to the unique character of the area. The latest wave of concern followed the demolition of vacant but historic buildings on Thomas Street and Back Turner Street.

An officer walk-around of the district concluded "that the building fabric is overall in a good condition and many [buildings] have seen significant levels of investment". But it also resulted in a long list of buildings at risk, with 19 separate sites embracing more than two dozen buildings.

Buildings at risk include:

• 1-3 Back Turner St. in the Smithfield Conservation Area, where a planning application was refused and new discussions are underway.
• 25-27 Swan St. (Coccozza Wood), also in the Smithfield Conservation Area behind the Band on the Wall venue, and due to be part of the expanded music venue.
• 60 Oldham St./53 Spear St. where planning permission has been approved to convert 60 Oldham St. into apartments and building a seven-storey block on 53 Spear St. Work is due to start soon.
• 56-58 Oldham/51 Spear St., where the report states: "We have contacted the owner on a number of occasions this year, including contacting their solicitor, to discuss the site. There has been no response to date."
• 7 Kelvin St. is a listed building and part of a site with two other listed buildings. The developer is reviewing options in light of the listings, the report said.
• 88 Tib St. is in the Smithfield Conservation Area. Talks are in progress with the owners.
• 2 Union St. is in the Smithfield Conservation Area. Land at the rear is to be developed.

Vulnerable buildings include:

• 42 - 50 Thomas St., both listed buildings which were to be demolished, but the listing has forced developers to reconsider.
• 56-58 Thomas St., not listed, but talks underway with the landowner.
• 42 Shudehill, approval in summer 2017 for a boutique hotel and a pub.
• 28-30 Oldham St., where an application is pending for conversion to a boutique hotel.
• 47 Spear St., where planning permission has been granted for a five storey new building.
• 43 - 47 Piccadilly. The building is in the Stevenson Square conservation area, a planning application is pending.
• 68 – 70 High St./2 Turner St., in the Smithfield Conservation Area. "The upper floors are beginning to show signs of neglect," the report said. "Permission has been granted under permitted development provisions to use the upper storeys as apartments. A letter has been sent to the applicant regarding the condition of the upper floors and the need to undertake works in order to maintain the building and improve its appearance."
• 1 - 5 Swan St./143 – 147 Oldham St. Conversion to studio apartments underway.
• 43 Tib St. Current application for conversion to residential.
• 56-58 Lever St. Neither listed, nor in a Conservation Area, the council is in talks with owners.
• 90 High St.
• 117 Oldham St.