Manchester's planning committee defers decision on controversial 55-storey student skyscraper

direct to your inboxControversial plans to build a 55-storey skyscraper with hundreds of student flats in Manchester will return to the city’s planning committee next week.The £130m scheme, which critics say looks like a ‘tombstone’ and a ‘caramel wafer’, has been heavily opposed by residents living nearby and Deansgate councillors.GMS (Parking) Limited wants to demolish and rebuild the multi-storey car park on Great Marlborough Street and build a tower housing 853 apartments for student

direct to your inboxManchester council could change the way it discusses climate change issues in a move that has been welcomed by environmental campaigners.A petition signed by more than 1,700 people called for a new committee to be established to measure Manchester's targets of becoming a zero carbon city by 2038.Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, suggested that the remits of existing scrutiny committees could be reviewed to make more space for climate change debate.But he

straight to your inbox every day for freeMason Greenwood was substituted in the second-half against West Ham because Manchester United are managing his game-time.Greenwood, 19, has started in six of United's last seven matches but was replaced by Edinson Cavani in the 86th minute, much to the surprise of many observers who felt he had performed better than fellow forwards Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.Martial was starting for the first time in four games but failed to score while

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United co-owner Joel Glazer hailed the addition of veteran quarter-back Tom Brady as the driving factor behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory in Super Bowl LV.The Buccaneers celebrated their first Super Bowl victory in 18 years on Sunday night, the perfect end to a season which has been graced by the timeless brilliance of star player Brady.The 43-year-old only joined the team last year after a glittering 20-year spell with the New England

straight to your inbox every day for free When Manchester United spent £80million on Harry Maguire in the summer of 2019 they probably didn't expect another world-class centre back to be considered the answer to their problems barely 12 months later. But that was the case early on this season, when Maguire was struggling for form and his partnership with Victor Lindelof was failing to convince.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer believes the coronavirus pandemic could still impact how Manchester United conduct their business in the summer transfer window.United spent £76.6million last summer on four signings and welcomed Edinson Cavani on a free transfer, having failed in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.Cavani is the only arrival who has cemented himself in Solskjaer's favoured XI and Donny van de Beek has only started in two of

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has urged Manchester United players to produce a fitting performance to commemorate the anniversary of the Munich air disaster.United host Everton on Saturday night 63 years on from the tragedy that decimated the Busby Babes, killing 23 people who were on board the flight back to Manchester after a European Cup quarter-final second leg win over Red Star Belgrade.

direct to your inboxThe head of Manchester’s planning committee has defended the controversial decision to approve proposals to build offices on a much-loved green space in Ancoats.More than 5,000 people signed a petition opposing the ‘workspace campus’ on New Islington Green, a large patch of grass by New Islington tram stop.Residents, Labour councillors and Liberal Democrat campaigners urged the committee to save the green, which had grown in popularity during lockdown.But most members voted

straight to your inbox every day for freeHere are your Manchester United evening headlines for Monday, February 1.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Phil Jones will be added to United's first-team squad ahead of the second half of the season.Jones has been absent thus far due to lingering issues from a knee problem, but he is back in contention to feature for the remainder of the campaign."I can confirm there won't be anyone coming in, so don't stay up late," Solskjaer confirmed in his press

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester leaders have agreed to spend more than £69m on developing a ‘world class’ public transport system in the city-region. The combined authority will progress plans for a long-awaited £15m railway station in Golborne, extra Metrolink stops, and improved bus services on northern and eastern routes.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are hopeful Amad Diallo will develop into their long-term right winger.Diallo, 18, completed his £37million transfer from Atalanta this month and was one of two right wingers United signed in October, along with Uruguayan teenager Facundo Pellistri, following the failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.The last specialist right winger United signed prior to Pellistri and Diallo was Wilfried Zaha in the January 2013

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe games are still coming thick and fast and Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday as Sheffield United visit Old Trafford.United go into the game full of confidence after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday and having not lost in the Premier League in 13 matches.The players were back in training at the start of the week ahead of the Blades' visit.

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 inboxThe Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is to open emergency Covid beds for adults in a sign of the unprecedented pressure facing Greater Manchester’s hospitals.Sir Richard Leese, the region’s health chief, said the situation in the system was now ‘critical’ as NHS bosses have scrambled to discharge as many people as possible ahead of a sustained peak over the coming three weeks.Crisis meetings have been held to determine the ability to scale up beds, as Salford Royal and

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester’s long-delayed Clean Air Zone could be signed off by leaders by the summer after months of public consultation.Vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries that do not meet emission standards would have to pay a daily charge to drive in the city-region under the plans.Local authorities across the UK have been mandated by the government to introduce charging Clean Air Zones to combat illegal levels of air pollution in the shortest possible

direct to your inboxThe NHS has sadly confirmed the deaths of 29 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for Covid-19.The region's hospital death toll now stands at 4,757.NHS bosses said on Friday a further 993 people who tested positive for the virus have died in hospitals across England.It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 65,104.In the north west, a further 94 hospital deaths were reported, the NHS said on Friday.A

direct to your inboxPlans for more than 400 new homes in Partington have been approved.Trafford council’s planning committee met last night (Thursday) to discuss proposals from developer Countryside Properties for 449 houses on land off Hall Lane, and another plot next to the Manchester Ship Canal.Plans were submitted in two applications.The first will see 151 homes on land off Hall Lane, including a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.There will be 78 affordable houses on site, according

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans want the club to do everything in their power to keep Paul Pogba this summer. Despite falling behind in the first five minutes, United retook top spot in the Premier League on Wednesday with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Fulham.

“Their memories will endure and Manchester will never forget them.