Statement on the judicial review judgement re: the former Central Retail Park temporary planning permission
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “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.”
