Skyscrapers set to rise up after High Court battle

MANCHESTER council has lost a major High Court case which paves the way for two 56-storey skyscrapers to be built.

- By ETHAN DAVIES

Manchester council twice refused to allow developers Great Jackson Street Estates Ltd (GJSE) to knock down two industrial 'sheds' next to Mancunian Way.

The firm secured planning permission to build more than 1,000 flats on the land but there was a dispute over the freehold lease.

Despite approving GJSE's bid to redevelop the 'Park Place' site in November 2024, council officers refused to allow the demolition in September 2024 and January 2025, prompting GJSE to take legal action, High Court documents said.

GJSE, a subsidiary of major city centre landowners the Weis Group has now won its appeal against the town hall's decision, with His Honour Judge David Hodge KC also ruling GJSE 'is entitled to carry out the demolition works'.