Northern Quarter car park could be bulldozed as council eyes up 'world-class' development

A multi-storey car park in the heart of the Northern Quarter could soon be set for bulldozers. Manchester council is inviting interest from developers to transform the site on Church Street into a 'landmark development' with a new public square.

The 685-space car park is open seven days a week and offers city centre residents space to park their car, with permits currently available from the town hall. But council chiefs have described the building as 'surplus' - insisting it is a magnet for anti-social behaviour and 'inappropriate' for its location.

Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, wants to see the site become a 'world-class' development. She said: “This is a unique opportunity to deliver a landmark redevelopment of this site and deliver a project that will transform this part of our city centre through a world-class, mixed-use development - including exemplary public realm.

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“Our Northern Quarter is proudly and fiercely independent and we would expect proposals to understand intimately the context of the neighbourhood and present plans that pay homage to the history and heritage of the area to support the next generation of independent businesses to thrive." The development will be known as St Paul's, after the church which previously stood on the site.

According to the council, proposals for the development should be welcoming, ambitious and of 'world-class architectural quality', respecting the heritage and independence of the Northern Quarter. The town hall wants the 1.54-acre site to be transformed through a 'highly-sustainable development' which could include a mix of new homes, businesses and a public square.

Council bosses want the new development to 'complement and enhance' the existing Northern Quarter - while also contributing meeting the local authority's economic, housing and environmental priorities. It's also believed the move could tackle anti-social behaviour which has plagued the surrounding area in recent years.

And city chiefs believe the move could help to promote 'active travel over car use' in the city centre. Coun Craig added: "The Church Street car park has for some time felt out of step with its surroundings, detracting from the wider area both in look and feel, and in the way the current building layout attracts anti-social behaviour.

"A multi storey car park is also inappropriate in the heart of our city, and we expect this development to support a people-first approach that actively promotes public transport and active travel over car use. We look forward to seeing ambitious proposals that will enhance our world-famous Northern Quarter and support the continued success of our city centre.”

It's understood parking permit holders affected by any future plans will be contacted by the council. Real estate firm CBRE is managing an invitation to tender process on behalf of the council, with a deadline for proposals set for 1pm on February 12 next year.