Plans to build Manchester's tallest skyscraper put forward

The new tower will be 12 storeys higher than the city's current tallest skyscraper

Plans to build a 76-storey skyscraper that could become a city's tallest building have been put forward.

The high-rise has been proposed by property developer Salboy Group as part of a wider scheme to redevelop a site in Manchester city centre.

If the plans are approved the tower would have the most floors of any residential building in the city.

Salboy managing director Simon Ismail said the building could be a "crowning feature" of the Manchester cityscape.

The size of the 76-storey building, which would house 780 flats, is expected surpass the nearby 64-storey south tower at Deansgate Square, which stands at 200m (656ft) and the Beetham Tower, a 169m (554 ft) high, 47-storey block.

A planning application for the new skyscraper is expected to be due by next year

Salboy had initially aimed to build an office-building at the site in Deansgate, where the firm has almost finished building a 40-storey tower block.

But Mr Ismail said the plans were altered to include what could become the city's tallest residential building due to falling demand for office space.

He said: "In Manchester that decline is being hugely outweighed by the ever-growing demand for high quality homes."

A consultation is now being held on the plans, which could also see a separate block of 23 affordable homes built.

A spokeswoman for Salboy said the firm expects to submit a planning application early next year.