The London and Birmingham-based practices scheme for a 0.16ha site on Lever Street was given consent yesterday (23 January) by Manchester City Councils planning committee.Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans following a site visit last month to the eye-catching, overhanging 17,000m office-led development for the Soller Group.Manchesters planning officers had previously backed the Howells scheme with a recommendation to approve the redevelopment of a row of 18th and 19th century warehouses buildings with an 18-storey tower leaning out above them.AdvertisementCouncillors deferred the scheme on 19 December over heritage concerns for the loss of historic assets, with groups such as The Victorian Society opposing the application.However, speaking at committee, councillors said they accepted the developments retention of heritage faades on Lever Street in return for redevelopment of the site. Howells said the scheme would retain approximately 40 per cent of the original 19th-century warehouse faades.The consented scheme is wider and three storeys taller than a version put out to consultation in late 2022, which did not included an overhang. The latest design includes ground-floor ancillary uses, such as technology and creative hubs at street level in addition to an intimate, publicly accessible courtyard.The proposal sits opposite the Grade II-listed Daily Express Building, designed by Owen Williams. Historic England did not object to the Howells scheme in relation to its interest in the listed asset.Soller Group has said the scheme would deliver much-needed Grade A office space for Manchesters Northern Quarter.AdvertisementHowells director Adam Desborough previously previously told the AJ: These proposals will transform this prominent yet largely neglected site into a characterful, healthy employment hub for the thriving Northern Quarter SME community.By repurposing the historic buildings along Lever Street and providing a new building as a contemporary backdrop, the scheme represents truly sustainable design where heritage meets the modern workplace.The governments heritage watchdog said the plans would result in a small degree of harm' to the Express building and surrounding heritage assets, with the eye-catching design of the tower being not overly visually distracting, in its view.Historic England added: The materials reflect the bold architectural style of the Express Building and it is positive to see that design elements such as curved corners and horizonal elements have been incorporated.Howells was appointed to the Lever Street scheme in November 2021 following Soller Groups purchase of the site in 2020.Construction is due to start by 2028.Consultation scheme, right; submitted scheme, left