'STOP THE MONSTER, Residents fight plan for student block with over 1,800 bedrooms

PROPOSALS to build a 1,840-bedroom student block, new public squares and a variety of community facilities have been met with a backlash from residents

- ETHAN DAVIES

The plans for Ardwick and Brunswick, from a consortium of developers Property Alliance Group, McLaren Property, Moda Living and Kadans Science Partner - also include a life science workspace, 150 new trees and an improved Gartside Gardens. Currently, they are out for public consultation.

However, a group of residents in Brunswick the area sandwiched between Ardwick, Upper Brook Street, and Mancunian Way - have banded together to oppose the plans. They are particularly concerned about a 42-storey tower in the project, prompting them to adopt the slogan 'Stop The Monster!

"I would like to think the development would be something positive, not just for Manchester as a city, but for the residents as well," said Olga Asma, who has called Brunswick home since 2007. "However, I cannot see it in the current proposal, because of the height and sheer size of the buildings. I am personally against inviting 1,800 students into such a small residential area.

"We have a very small park, Gartside Gardens. We do not have enough space to accommodate the thousands which will include office workers and students.

"It is all about strategic framework, fancy development, fancy words, rather than thinking about people who already live here."