City region's £1bn tallest skyscraper approved

The tower will become the third tallest building in the country

Plans have been approved to build the tallest skyscraper in Greater Manchester as part of a £1bn development featuring 3,300 homes, despite widespread opposition.

The controversial scheme will see 10 high-rise towers built on land off Regent Retail Park in Ordsall, Salford - with the tallest standing at 895ft (273m) and 77 storeys.

It will become the third tallest building in the country, and 73 metres higher than the Deansgate Square building which is currently the city region's highest.

The plans were approved by Salford City Council's planning team despite a concerns about an influx of people moving into the area and the pressure that would create on services.

It will be the "biggest housing-led development in Salford for 50 years", according to developers Henley Investment Management (HIM).

Construction is set to last 10 years and will see the northern half of Regent Retail Park knocked down to make way for the new homes.

People have raised concerns about overdevelopment in the area

The developer estimates the scheme will pump £3.7m a year into the city through council tax and bring many other benefits.

Spokesperson Hattie Charlier-Poole said: "It's very well publicised that the nation as a whole is struggling to build homes.

"It is the right place to house a lot of people and a lot of services."

Developers said the site will include 660 affordable homes, a community centre, a public park, and space for healthcare facilities.

Salford has 5,000 people on its housing register, and is facing huge demand for new homes.

But concerns were raised by some at the planning meeting over whether the scheme would benefit the city overall.

'Questions unanswered'

Rebecca Long-Bailey MP spoke about the need for more services in the area and urged HIM to withdraw its planning application and re-consult with residents over the plans.

She said: "With the increase in population, there will be a need for extra GP places, school places, dentist places and a chemist, and at the moment there are still too many questions left unanswered."

One objector, John Grant, also said: "The 3,300 apartments in this tiny block is massive over-development, 3,300 homes here would create a concrete jungle, 3,300 homes would sound the death knell of Ordsall as we know it now."

But Coun Mike McCusker, the council's lead member for planning, supported the plans and moved it for approval.

Coun McCusker spoke about the urgent need for new homes, adding: "660 affordable houses is a huge amount that will have a massive impact on our waiting list and residents in Ordsall whose kids can't get out the house in their late 30s."