Voluntary community group, Castlefield Forum, and local, long-standing business Castlefield Estates are progressive organisations that support the very best ideas for development for Castlefield. We are custodians of this amazing place and feel very strongly that the current plans for developing a residential scheme at 2-4 Chester Road are simply not good enough. They do not enhance the area, do not respect the Conservation Area or canal basin, but instead detract massively from these.

We positively welcome the development of this site and feel it’s an ideal  opportunity to deliver something that Manchester can be proud of in what is a very, very special place. However, the current plans are for two overly dominant and intrusive buildings in a highly sensitive and distinctive location. The taller of the two, at 21 storeys, will overwhelm the Grade II listed former Congregational Chapel and will cause considerable shadowing to the canal basin. The mass of the second building, whilst lower at 12 storeys, is very bulky and completely fills the remainder of the site. In addition, canal and towpath users will be faced with a 5 metre high wall directly next to the towpath. Views, both into the basin from Chester Rd and out from the basin itself, are completely obliterated.

In written comments on the proposals, Historic England has highlighted the significance of Castlefield saying that “the Castlefield canal basin is one of the most significant elements in the historical development of Manchester as a modern industrial city.” They recommend “that the design of the proposed development should be re-considered to improve how it would related to the character and appearance of the conservation area, particularly in terms of the proposed materials.”

We urge anyone with an interest in Castlefield as a place to live, work, conduct business or visit to object to these inappropriate proposals that are simply not good enough for this outstanding Conservation Area.