The Planning and Highways Committee of Manchester City Council met on 28 August 2025, to discuss several planning applications. The committee approved plans for a student accommodation complex on Cambridge Street, a youth centre on Field of O's, and a retail unit on Kenyon Lane. A decision on a Lidl store on Hollinwood Avenue was deferred for a site visit, while a similar application for a Lidl on Wilmslow Road was approved.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussions:

Cambridge Halls of Residence, Cavendish Street - 142888/FO/2025

The committee was minded to approve the demolition of the existing Cambridge Halls of Residence and the erection of two buildings of 30 and 24 storeys for purpose-built student accommodation. The development, a joint venture between Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), would provide 2,302 student beds, internal and external rooftop communal amenity space, ground floor commercial and community uses, hard and soft landscaping, and associated highway works.

Key points of discussion included:

• Affordable Housing: While not mandated by planning policy, MMU committed to pricing 413 of the 1,941 rooms allocated to them at a 15% discount.
• Cycle Route: Concerns about the removal of a cycle route were addressed by retaining a cycle route through the site.
• Local Objections: 189 objections were received, primarily focusing on the impact on the cycle route, loss of public space, noise, and the over-concentration of student accommodation.
• Economic Benefits: The development is expected to create 280 construction jobs and 40 on-site jobs, contributing £222 million to the Greater Manchester economy during construction and generating £9.7 million in student expenditure annually.
• Environmental Impact: The development aims to be low carbon, utilising renewable technology and minimising surface water runoff.
• Heritage Impact: While the development would cause a low level of less than substantial harm to nearby listed buildings, this harm was outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.

Active Travel England (ATE) requested a comprehensive daily trip analysis and more share targets to accurately capture all development-related movements and their associated modal splits, and a re-assessment of the level of cycle parking. ATE also requested an active travel route audit and a contribution to a Cavendish Street/Cambridge Street junction upgrade.

Councillors Lee Glover and Annette Wright withdrew their objections following the retention of the cycleway through the site.

The decision was subject to a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure private waste collections for the lifetime of the development and to retain the project architect.

Lidl Food Store, 440 Hollinwood Avenue - 142670/FO/2025

The committee deferred a decision on the erection of a single-storey Lidl food store following demolition of existing structures at 440 Hollinwood Avenue for a site visit. Councillor Curley recommended the visit to assess the proposal's impact on local traffic, pedestrians, and businesses, particularly concerning a nearby roundabout.

Lidl Food Store, 263 Wilmslow Road - 142775/FO/2025

The committee approved the erection of a single-storey Lidl food store at 263 Wilmslow Road. The development includes associated car parking and landscaping.

Existing Warehouse, Burstock Street - 141477/FO/2024

The committee approved a temporary change of use for three years of an existing warehouse bounded by Burstock Street, Peary Street, Bilbrook Street and Bromley Street to a music and events venue. The decision was made despite one objection citing concerns about noise, traffic, and the financial stability of the applicant, Connecting Dots Group Ltd. The approval was based on the site's sustainable location, the implementation of noise control measures, and the temporary nature of the use pending redevelopment.