MCR Property Group’s nine-block scheme to include a 34-storey tower on site of former gasworks

Plans to build a 1,200-home development in Manchester including a 34-storey tower have been given the green light.

The AHR Architects-designed scheme was approved by the local council planning committee late last week in its first meeting since last month’s local elections.

The £220m scheme for developer Southvalley Estates, a subsidiary of property investor MCR Property Group, consists of a total of nine blocks on the site of a former gasworks in the north east of the city.

AHR gasworks Manchester

The AHR-designed scheme includes a 34-storey tower

Known as Gasworks New Town, it is the latest phase of the £4bn Northern Gateway project, which will see up to 15,000 homes built on disused land in Collyhurst.

AHR’s phase will include 85 affordable homes through shared ownership, a new public park along with commercial space, underground parking and a pedestrian and cycle route as well as more than a 1000 cycle spaces.

The 6.5 acre site will be cleared later this year or early in 2022 with construction expected to be completed by 2023.

Last year AHR was given planning approval for a 66-home, 100% affordable canal-side scheme in Manchester designed for Clarion.

The practice, which designed the Farringdon Crossrail station, reported a 36% drop in pre-tax profit in its most recent annual results earlier this year and a 2% fall in turnover which it said reflected a “challenging market”.