The skyscrapers, towering apartment buildings and office blocks set to change Manchester's skyline in 2021

direct to your inboxMajor plans to transform Manchester city centre’s landmark Debenhams building have been recommended for approval by council bosses. The Rylands building on Market Street is for an extensive makeover which will see it restored to its original Art Deco glory both inside and outside.

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

greatrun.org/great-manchester-run.Now that the event has been postponed from its usual May date, it leaves a gap in the calendar, but organisers have launched virtual running challenges to help you keep moving.One is the Run Away From 2020 challenge, with the aim to complete 21 activities (run, job or walk) of any distance in January.Another is the Great Run Solo Distance Challenge, which is designed to keep you racking up the miles over a seven-day, or a 28-day period.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer believes Brandon Williams must focus on developing as a right-back for Manchester United.Williams, 20, was one of the surprise success stories of United's 2019-20 campaign when he broke through at left-back and started in all four of their semi-final fixtures, signing a new contract until 2024.However, United recruited specialist left-back Alex Telles from Porto in the summer to compete with Luke Shaw and Williams has been restricted

direct to your inboxAn historic former co-operative building in north Manchester will have to be demolished, the council has confirmed.The former Failsworth Industrial Society building at the corner of Oldham Road and Old Church Street in Newton Heath has been branded 'dangerous' by inspectors.Issues with the derelict building, plus ongoing resurfacing work, have caused major traffic delays on Oldham Road this week.In a statement, Manchester Council said Oldham Road will have to be closed

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe EFL has confirmed clubs in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup will be allowed to make up to five substitutions, providing a boost for Manchester City and Manchester United.Until this stage of the competitions, clubs were only allowed to bring on three substitutes, in accordance with the rules initially voted for by Premier League and EFL clubs.

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

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Greater Manchester certainly has a lot to look forward to. Despite a challenging 12 months, the region already has a long list of new developments coming up in the next year and through to 2023.

direct to your inboxWith the region’s long-term development plan hitting the rocks and Covid casting a long shadow over the economy, Greater Manchester’s future has rarely looked so uncertain.Yet Rochdale council bosses remain bullish about their vision for the borough - insisting they will push ahead with the ‘growth agenda’ they say is vital for its prosperity.Since Stockport’s voted to drop out of the doomed ‘spatial framework’ masterplan, Rochdale and the other eight boroughs have pledged to

direct to your inboxThe Met Office has issued another weather warning, with more snow is expected to hit the region in the next 24 hours.A yellow warning for snow and ice has been extended until tomorrow morning (Tuesday, December 29).The region was covered by a yellow warning for snow this morning.

direct to your inboxStockport made waves by controversially pulling out of the region’s flagship Greater Manchester Spatial Framework development plan earlier this month.But while planners have been sent back to the drawing board, there are still several major schemes lined up for the borough.Most are set for the heart of the town, which is currently undergoing an ambitious £1bn regeneration that has already delivered the Red Rock, Stockport Exchange and The Mailbox.Stockport is the first place

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Scholes says Manchester United's position in the table shows they have the ability to be title challengers this season.Their recent form has prompted plenty of talk about whether United can launch a challenge that was unexpected at the start of the season. Some of United's players have been bullish about their chances and Scholes can see why.

Ariana Grande has brought some Christmas cheer to hundreds of young hospital patients in Manchester.The pop star has surprised hundreds of children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with an Amazon voucher each worth £100.Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the father of one of the patents said his daughter was “absolutely delighted” with the kind gesture, describing the ‘7 Rings’ singer as “a wonderful human being”.“She said, ‘look dad, I’ve got a

direct to your inboxStorm Bella is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Greater Manchester on Boxing Day.The Met Office have issued a series of weather warnings ahead of the storm's arrival on Saturday afternoon (26 December).An amber severe weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 60 to 70mph in some places.Storm Bella is likely to bring disruption to travel and utilities, the forecaster's alert said.In

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.