Anger as hotel aims higher

Deborah Linton

October 22, 2008

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West Properties' new Origin development

A ROW has erupted over plans to bring one of the world's swankiest hotel chains to Manchester.

City centre residents are angry over plans to increase the height of the W hotel, on the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street.

The five-star luxury hotel will be part of the dramatic Origin development, which was given the go-ahead last year.

But now developers West Properties want permission to increase the height of the 13-storey building by 13 metres, to allow for extra height in the hotel lobby and bedrooms.

Campaigner and city centre resident Chris Speck said: "Hundreds of people registered objections to the plans the first time round, on the grounds of size and scale of the development but we accepted the council's decision and agreed to welcome a 13-storey building.

"The extra height seems totally unnecessary. This is supposed to be a conservation area but here we have another glass tower that will overshadow the river and nearby Sackville Gardens, one of the nicest city centre parks."

City centre councillor Marc Ramsbottom added: "They are reneging on the terms of the last application. It does not make for good neighbours."

The hotel could be W's first in Britain if it opens in the development designed by architect Ian Simpson, who was responsible for the Beetham Tower, Number 1 Deansgate and Urbis.

The complex of three sculpted glass buildings will also provide 180 luxury apartments, 62,000sq ft of office space, street level shops, cafés, restaurants and an art gallery.

West Properties spokesman Colin Roy said: "We originally planned for a four-star hotel but to bring this five-star brand to Manchester we need to meet their requirements.

"We need the space to provide extra height in the bedrooms and mezzanine levels in keeping with the feel of a luxury hotel.

"If this is approved it will bring one of the best products in the hotel market to Manchester and all the benefits that brings."

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City Centre Man (22/10/2008 at 09:08)

I used to have an aprtmet that had abalcony on the fifth floor that overlooked the site where this development will be. I had views to the right of Canal Street and straight ahead the sun set and it was a pleasant place to sit of an evening.

For whoever lives there now this development means that my view would be completely blocked and I would have a hotel room fifteen feet away from my balcony, my lounge and my bedroom and all natural ligght will be blocked out out. Needless to say just after I sold and this was announced the price of the properties in that building went down by 20%.

I have never seen so many official objections to a new development but it was no surprise when it went through as theese things always do.

The crazy thing is that parking around there is already at a premium and they have taken out a car park to build this so where are the extra people going to park? It is already a busy junction there too especially since the council reduced Whitworth Street towards the station from two lanes to one.

I hope th extra bit doesn't get permission.

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (22/10/2008 at 11:36)

What a way that manchester has changed? Its full of appartments and hotels.Why does a city like manchester want hotels by the dozen.And i would like to know who fills these hotels up.I read somewhere that appartments and hotels are empty...

Mr Angry, Bury (22/10/2008 at 12:39)

Its difficult to find the words to describe this excresence isnt it?

It takes ugliness to a whole new level, I could design better myself

Pushkin (22/10/2008 at 12:45)

Remember when the council slum-cleared Manchester in the early 80s and pulled down most of the houses within the city limits (Ancoats, New Cross etc)?

They then suddenly realised that they'd lost a load of rate-payers - doh!

Now, the more people they can cram into the city centre they think they'll get more council tax in. Unfortunately they're just building tomorrow's slums. The properties that lie empty, either unsold or unrented by developers will more than likely end up being bought by the council and then used as emergency housing - more people, no council tax income so the rest of the council tax payers will end up financing it.

James Spencer (22/10/2008 at 12:46)

The hotel is carefully described in the planning application as 'as is one of the world’ leading upmarket hotel operations, which combines the unique character and appeal of a leading boutique hotel, with the quality of service and facilities associated with a leading 5* operation,... sort of 4* with aspirations. That said people who have stayed in 'w's' enjoyed them. They are gay friendly though if they come, their float for the Pride Parade will need an upgrade compared with their effort in New York.

What was given permission in 2006 was not a 4 star hotel but an apartment hotel (Krash Pads?) so Colin, less SPIN please. Notice also the odd perspective in Wests ad.

I welcome 'W' but only on two conditions: THAT THEY FIT THE HOTEL INTO THE BUILDING APPROVED IN THEIR EXISTING PLANNING CONSENT (it is large enough) and THEY SORT OUT THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WITH RESIDENTS AND THE COUNCIL.

I was also amused in their planning application to read that it will contribute to to the regeneration of Canal Street which 'has been declining for ten years'. presumably since it became Manchester's world famous Gay Village.

There is actually a much better site for 'W' in the form of MMU's Aytoun Campus which becomes available in 2010.
The planning application is 087671 and although the closing date for comments was 17th , planning usually are flexible. Since it is in a conservation area with that in mind anyone can comment.

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (22/10/2008 at 13:08)

Pushkin,
In openshaw we have some great new homes but within a year they have been turned into slums by a council/housing asssociations letting these new homes to transients who wreck the homes and the area.ive seen openshaw change from a area with old terraced properties to brand new homes that get trashed by allowing people to smash and badly maintain the property. why dosnt the housing/council associatond do what they should be doing ?monitoring their tennatnts and make these people live within a clean and decent community.if you allow people to make a mess of the area all it will do is decline.(very rapid)Its time to make these people look after their homes.

Gary SK13 (22/10/2008 at 13:09)

Although i have no objection to the development of manchester to a world class city, it irritates me to the continued disregard to public opinion by councils.
The average joe has to battle through endless documents and planning rules to have an extension or property built, yet the big companies seem to be able to sidestep all the laws and do what they want, a few brown envelopes have passed hands it seems.

Sir Reginald Ringpull, A-u-L, Lancashire (22/10/2008 at 14:06)

Quote:
"more people, no council tax income so the rest of the council tax payers will end up financing it."

It gets worse, since they brought in the Local Housing Allowance - A I bed self contained flat in Manchester gets you £95 a week Housing Benefit, £103 in Southern Manchester). (If you only pay £80/88 a week you can keep the extra £15 no questions asked)

Garsinho, Manchester (22/10/2008 at 17:53)

Why do they need to extend the height of the rooms. Hotel rooms are for sleeping in (amongst other things) so guests will be lying on their backs for most of the time.

Last Pint of Holts, Middleton Manchester (23/10/2008 at 09:19)

I am constantly dismayed at trying to make Manchester a world class city and keep up with London etc, etc.

Get rid of the 'new eye sores', fake bling and false veneer of coolness!

We should build on what made Manchester great and not try to emulate other cities with off the peg hotel chains!

What made us great: Engineering, music, the industrial age, sporting clubs, Boddingtons, the characters like Tony Wilson (RIP) and the magnificent architecture in the center before we got the Arndale and the list goes on!

We should modernise our unique culture and become a unique world class city (such as Valencia). We don’t need to follow the fashions, we don’t need to try and keep up with London (seems an obsession this) and have 'snide' posh hotel chains everywhere!

Like I said, build on our unique identity and heritage, world class status and a 'trend setting' city will follow naturally!

citycentre, manchester (23/10/2008 at 15:26)

Ace Shakespeare

"Why does a city like manchester want hotels by the dozen"

possibly becuase some people actually like the place and want to come here?

can we stop ian simpson "designing" any more buildings until he comes up with something original though?

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (23/10/2008 at 17:43)

citycentre, manchester
Since most of the hotels have been built they are struggling to fill them never mind build more? Take the one at belle vue a brand new hotel that is empty most of the time "Great thinking"? Just look at that monster of a hotel in the centre of manchester "The hilton" mostly empty..

citycentre, manchester (24/10/2008 at 13:27)

Ace Shakespeare

belle vue. hardly the city centre is it?
i have no idea of the hilton occupancy level, but it usually seems busy when i go past.
i suspect that West properties may have checked to see if a hotel is viable business at this site though, and if not its their money being wasted so why stop them?

Esso Blue,, Manchester (24/10/2008 at 16:38)

When the good times start rolling these places will be packed to the rafters, I like the fact Manchester is moving on up, it was nothing for years.

Unfortunately though there is always going to be losers regarding a view.

Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury (25/10/2008 at 14:28)

Anything that takes the emphasis off that awful Canal Street area and blocks one view of it must surely be a boon to the city and with any luck will lead to the bulldozers being used on Canal Street for its redevelopment.

citycentre, manchester (27/10/2008 at 08:57)

Esso Blue

true, but anyone buying a flat on whitworth street for the view has some odd ideas

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