Details revealed for 25-storey tower set to transform Moor gateway

If plans are approved, the 78.6M tower will be erected where Midcity House currently stands, at the junction of Furnival Gate, Pinstone Street and Union Street.

The existing four-storey building, which comprises a mix of retail, office and residential accommodation would be demolished to make way for the development.

The new development would consist of retail units at the ground and first floors, and up to 271 residential units, including mezzanine decks and a residents’ gym

The plans also outline ‘terrace level amenity spaces’ on the fourth, 13th, and 23rd levels.

Part of the site was previously awarded planning permission in 2005 for a 19-storey development of apartments and retail units.

Outline planning approval was granted in 2018 to develop a 32 storey mixed use development comprising retail and residential accommodation.

Now, a detailed proposal has been put forward, outlining the plans for the building, which consists of three block, including the tower.

In their design and access statement, the site’s developers state “The proposal is to regenerate an important gateway city centre site by providing a high-quality building for desirable retail and private residential use.

“The scheme has been designed to meet end owner-investor requirements by providing a minimum of 250 apartments and accommodating institutional Build to Rent market standards.

“The building, the vehicular and pedestrian links have been designed to create an attractive environment.

“The development has been designed to be legible and safe. The treatment of the perimeter of the site has been developed so not to encourage crime.

“The layout, building and landscaping has been designed not to provide any hidden areas, dead ends or areas that do not benefit from natural surveillance and therefore could encourage antisocial behaviour.”

Residents will have two entrances – the primary entrance will be from from Pinstone Street, with a secondary service and goods entrance from Union Street.

The scheme will offer a total of 1192m2 of internal residents’ amenity space, and a further 773m2 of external roof terrace amenity space, landscaped and maintained for the exclusive use of the residents.

Planning officers will now study the plans, and make a recommendation for councillors to approve or refuse the scheme.