Bitter dispute over £18m plans to turn old police station into plush flats heads to the High Court

direct to your inboxPlans to build a 17-storey office tower on Deansgate have been thrown out after councillors sided with residents of a neighbouring building who said it would block out their sunlight.The glass tower planned to replace Speakers House would also have an overbearing impact on neighbouring heritage buildings, according to Manchester’s planning committee.Members had been warned that their reasons for refusal were ‘weak’ and would not stand up to an appeal by property firm Kames,

direct to your inboxA former Manchester Airport police officer already under investigation over whether he abused his warrant card on a flight has narrowly escaped a prison sentence for a drunken car crash.John Ashton, 55, was more than four times over the drink-drive limit when he hit a kerb, swerved into the wrong side of the road in his BMW and hit an on-coming car.The shocked driver of the other car saw the former PC, who had downed a bottle and a half of red wine, stagger out of his car and

began legal action against the council over alleged breach of contract after their plans to turn the Salford Crescent building into flats were rejected.Stama Development told the Manchester Evening News last year that they were left 'with no alternative' than to start proceedings.The case was scheduled to be considered at a hearing at Manchester's Civil Justice Centre in March 2021.Negotiations to settle the matter out of court have so far failed.

straight to your inbox every day for freeWhen Paul Pogba returned to Carrington in 2016, he went to the gym in the academy building to see some of the youngsters he had played with and been close to in his first spell at Manchester United.There he bumped into Under-23s coach Warren Joyce, who teased Pogba by telling him he didn't know why United had spent £89million on bringing him back to the club."We’ve got someone better than you anyway.

direct to your inboxManchester council is planning cuts of nearly £50m this year - including wiping millions from homelessness spending - despite ‘better than expected’ support from the government.Council tax could rise by almost five per cent, raising £8.5m to prevent further cuts to frontline services such as adult social care.Town hall leaders had been preparing for a ‘worst case scenario’ of a £103m black hole in their finances caused by dramatic losses of income and increased Covid-related

Manchester Evening News that the rubbish problems at the complex have been causing her mental health to deteriorate, especially during lockdown when she is unable to leave as frequently. "I am so fed up of the situation.

direct to your inboxA memorial to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and a £130m skyscraper that would be one of the tallest in the city are due to be considered by councillors.The planning committee’s first meeting of 2021 will hear applications for the redevelopment of the landmark Debenhams building in the city centre along with hundreds of new offices.Controversial plans to demolish an office building on Deansgate and replace it with a replacement ‘more appropriate in 1970s East

direct to your inboxThe ambulance service across Greater Manchester and the north west region is now facing 'unprecedented challenges' over the Covid-19 pandemic, it's been revealed.North West Ambulance Service has cancelled all planned leave for staff as a result.And the trust expects demand on its services and paramedics to 'peak over the next two weeks', a QC has said.All clinically trained staff have been switched 'to the responding frontline' and the trust is increasing its use of private

direct to your inboxIn a year of uncertainty, heartbreak, and a longing for normal life, 19-year-old Cameron Cartledge's experience of the coronavirus crisis will resonate with so many young people."Last year was really difficult because the pandemic has just turned everything upside down," he said."One day it was training at my local martial arts club, seeing friends and family, and the next it was having to stay at home not being able to do any of that."The last twelve months have been

direct to your inboxFormer The Apprentice contestant Lewis Ellis says he was subjected to online abuse after appearing on the hit BBC show in 2019.But it wasn't until the 30-year-old businessman was crowned Mr Manchester last year that he was really taken aback by some of the nasty comments that came his way.Lewis was proud to be voted Mr Manchester to represent his home city."I was born and raised here," explained Lewis at the time about why he was proud to hold the title.So he was disappointed

direct to your inboxPolice are trying to find a missing man from Levenshulme.Eric Seddon, 37, was last seen at an ATM at the Medina Superstore on Stockport Road, Levenshulme.The sighting was just after midnight on Wednesday (December 30).He has not been seen or heard from since.Greater Manchester Police say there is growing concern for his welfare.Officers are asking the public to get in touch if they have any information.Eric is described as 5ft 10" tall, of a slim build with very short brown

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe sporting director who took Bruno Fernandes to Italy says the Portuguese star has reached his pinnacle at Manchester United.Cristiano Giaretta was instrumental in taking a young Fernandes from Boavista to Novara in 2012, giving the midfielder his first taste of senior football.Giaretta is now sporting director at Watford so will be reunited with Fernandes in January's FA Cup tie between the Hornets and United.Speaking to Calcio Mercato, Giaretta was