Temporary surface car park at 1 City Road East, Manchester

“Proposal Retention of car park and associated boundary treatment; and installation of hardstanding to access, CCTV and lighting together with modifications to boundary treatment, all for a temporary period of 12 months…”

“The application seeks the retention of the 24 hour car park, with associated boundary treatment works and minor ground works. The car park on site has been in operation since June 2025 and has a capacity of approximately 180 spaces. This application seeks to retain the car park on site for a further 12 months.”

“The 0.57ha site consists of a surface car park paved in gravel. It is bound by City Road East, Medlock Street, River Street and Shortcroft Street. Pedestrian and vehicle access is off of City Road East.”

“The office buildings were demolished and an 81 space car park was cleared in 2024 in anticipation of the site’s development.”

“Flood Risk Management Team – No objection.”

“Environment Agency – No objection subject to an informative relating to waterways.”

“Unacceptable impact on air quality by increased vehicular activity on site. • Unacceptable impact on local amenity by increased noise generation due to increased vehicular activity on site. • Unacceptable impact on local pedestrian safety due to increased vehicular activity on site. • Unacceptable impact on visual amenity. • Unacceptable impact on local safety, with the proposals likely to encourage anti-social and criminal behaviour.”

“The proposal would threaten the permanent development of the site by providing an income stream. • The hoarding surrounding the application site is poorly designed and maintained and detracts from local visual amenity. • The use of the site as a car park causes an unacceptable impact on local residential amenity by unacceptable noise impacts due to lack of demarcation.”

“Manchester City Council Minutes Planning Committee 28 May 2026 During discussion of the item, the Committee raised issues regarding the long-term use of the site, how the use of the site as a car park adds to the aims of Manchester being a carbon neutral city and whether any EV charging points were to be included.”

“The Planning Officer noted that the site had planning permission approved for 2 office buildings which met the regeneration framework. In respect of these, the applicant has worked through discharging conditions, and the demolition of the previous buildings has commenced development under the consent.”

“The Planning Officer drew the Committee’s attention to the Late Reps report which confirmed that the recommendation was to approve the report subject to conditions. It was also confirmed that the scheme was for a maximum period of 12 months.”

“The Committee resolved to approve the application, subject to conditions set out within the reports.”