Plans blocked for controversial car park in Ancoats
12,000 people signed a petition against Manchester City Council's plans for the former Central Retail Park
Manchester City Council has been blocked from building a controversial 440-space car park next to the city centre's only primary school.
It follows a judicial review brought by local campaign group Trees Not Cars, which was set up 18 months ago.
12,000 people signed a petition against the council's temporary plans for the former Central Retail Park site in Ancoats.
Julia Kovaliova is a mum of three and organiser of Trees Not Cars. Two of her sons go to New Islington Free School, which is next to the site.
She says, “I am delighted by the judge’s decision and will be able to sleep easier at night knowing my son who has asthma won’t be exposed to even greater levels of air pollution. Our victory must be a wake-in up call for the Council, who can’t continue to prioritise car parks and offices over clean air and green space. They must now go back to their plans for Central Retail Park and include significant green space with trees, grass, and playgrounds for families.”
The council set to appeal the decision
A Manchester City Council spokesperson says, “We are disappointed at this judgement and have sought leave to appeal.
“The reason we have contested this judicial review was not about its implications for the former Central Retail Park site but the precedent it would set and the potential impact of this decision on future applications if insufficient weight was given to the previous use of sites - in this case as the car park for a retail park.
“The judgement does not affect the future of this site. Since temporary planning permission was granted in 2019 it has not been used as a car park and it will not be before the planning permission expires in October this year.
“We remain focused on bringing forward the development of this key site as soon as possible. The creation of a net zero carbon business district, with public space at its heart and as little car use as possible, will support thousands of vital new jobs for Manchester people and play a powerful part in the city’s recovery from the economic impacts of the pandemic. It is a more appropriate use for this site, right next to the inner relief road, than a park.
“We do however recognise calls for more green space and the site will integrate with an improved Cotton Field Park, to the immediate north of the site. Work is also well underway to create Mayfield Park, a major new city centre park."
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