A major development in East Manchester has been pushed back amid concerns about the safety of children at a new school planned nearby. The plans for 716 homes at the former Jackson's Brickworks site in Newton Heath were set to be approved by councillors on Thursday (September 22).
The development on land last used in the 1990s includes building a new secondary school, a community hub and a park along the Rochdale Canal. However, local councillors said children would be forced to walk 500 metres through a construction site to the school when it opens 'within two years'.
Speaking at the planning committee meeting, Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor John Flanagan said he and his ward colleagues are 'fully behind' the scheme, up to 70 pc of which would be affordable housing. But he called for the access road from Mitchell Street to be built as part of the first phase of development so children have a safe route to walk to school on.
READ MORE: New Aldi in North Manchester gets green light
The Labour councillor also argued that Hallam Road should be completely closed for the safety of children at the nearby nursery and primary school. Speaking on behalf of Nuvu Investments, the housing delivery arm of Your Housing, Deloitte partner John Cooper defended the proposed development.
He said Hallam Road would be a pedestrian and cycle route and committed to creating the road linking to Mitchell Street before the secondary school opens. Nevertheless, councillors on the planning committee deferred their decision.
Labour councillor Paul Andrews, who proposed a site visit, said: "Hopefully we can see for ourselves that there isn't going to be a danger to the children."
The planning committee approved the other two applications on the agenda, including two new office blocks near the Co-op headquarters in Angel Square. The 13 and 14 storey buildings in NOMA would offer Grade-A office space in the city centre – which is much needed now, according to one local councillor.
However, Piccadilly councillor Jon-Connor Lyons requested that no noisy construction happens before 8.30am, which town hall planners agreed to. A planning application for a new Aldi in Moston was also approved, allowing the Imperial Lounge restaurant in Victoria Avenue East to be demolished.
The supermarket worth £5m is expected to open within 18 months.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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