Historic England is attacking plans for a 76-storey Manchester skyscraper

The conservation group has poured cold water on Salboy’s proposals for Britain’s tallest building outside London, criticizing the scheme for being too tall.

While Phase Two of the Viadux has been met with enthusiasm by Manchester’s development community, Historic England is decidedly less enthusiastic about Salboy’s plans to deliver Europe’s tallest residential building in the heart of Manchester.

The organisation’s official objection states that the scheme’s “vast height” and its proximity to “Manchester’s most sensitive built complex” would result in a “disruptive and pervasive presence which greatly affects the character of the city and its most treasured buildings”.

Historic England goes on to say that the scheme’s location on Great Bridgewater Street is “the wrong place in the city for such a tall building”.

“We believe that the proposal for a 76-storey tower would come at a high cost to Manchester’s historic environment … causing considerable damage to the most important historic buildings.”

These buildings include the Grade I listed town hall and St Ann’s Church, among others.

The development is being designed by SimpsonHaugh Architects, with Deloitte advising on the planning. It comprises 782 apartments in what would be Britain’s tallest building outside London.

Along with a 76-storey tower, the scheme would have a 23-storey block comprising 133 affordable properties.

This element would be “particularly less harmful” according to Historic England, but is still not entirely acceptable.

“It would contribute to the loss of visual connection between the former station (Manchester Central) and the supporting infrastructure, causing modest damage to one of Manchester’s finest buildings,” the organization said.

The application will be determined by Manchester City Council in due course.