A “simple, boring and rectangular” Travelodge near Deansgate Station will serve “for the funerals of young women and children and football fans” and destroy the “beautiful” Victorian buildings, the objectors say.
Plans for the 152-bed hotel at 2-4 Whitworth Street West must be approved through Manchester planning officials before a planning committee assembly on Thursday.
The proposed progression would mean the demolition of two empty Victorian warehouses in the building’s position, which will also be at the most sensitive point on Rowendale Street, which will be permanently closed.
The Travelodge would occupy seven of the building’s 8 lots, with the land reserved for the occupation of restaurants, bars or shops.
But the loss of red brick warehouses is concerning, as is the effect on the Grade II rail viaduct at the back of the development.
Although none of the warehouses are on the list, many of the 57 parties to the conflict suggested councillors vote against the plan and “save some of Manchester’s history. “
One resident said: “The 2-4 Whitworth Street West are Victorian buildings and remind us of our history.
“Knocking them down and updating them with the construction of a character is morally incorrect.
“I’m sure Travelodge can find enough cash to make a big recovery that completely demolishes them and build an ugly, quality-reasonable construction instead. “
In a report to the plan-making committee, officials said there is no old dating between the two buildings, the deansgate station or the viaduct.
The buildings, dating from 1908 and 1922, are described as “neither uncommon nor of sufficient quality” to distinguish them from the buildings of this period.
They also argue that by authorizing the Travelodge structure, the city council would generate new jobs and tourism, while optimizing the wasteland and “improving the local area. “
But the design of the construction is one of the conflicting parts of the project, which has been described as “tasteless and unre interesting”.
One objector said: “Another insulsible box without any architectural merit, of the kind that can be discovered in any municipality in Europe, while the loss of two historic buildings that, once thoroughly rebuilt, would rise significantly into the urban landscape.
“The people deserve better, much better. “
Another opponent added: “All that generic hotel will serve are funerals of singles/children and football enthusiasts in a construction that looks like all the new constructions that have been built in recent years. “
In response to the questions referred, the applicants Maizefields Ltd and Arringord Ltd submit that the design of the brick construction “takes a deal” from the surrounding buildings.
It had been considered a superior construction, but developers said that a lower average height construction would be more suitable given the abundance of nearby skyscrapers.
The report reads: “The scale of the hotel fits its context, adding Deansgate Locks, Grade II graduated viaducts and would respond well to the pedestrian environment and expand to buildings on Whitworth Street. “