In June last year, it emerged that the project was under threat because Historic England was assessing the derelict former cotton mill, known as Medlock Mill or the Hotspur Press due to its signage, for listed status. The government body had received at least two applications to list the building.But the government has now decided not to list the mill, paving the way for its part-demolition to make way for Hodders 578-room student housing scheme.Developer Manner, which specialises in city-centre housing, was informed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on Friday (31 January) that it would not be listing the Hotspur Press.AdvertisementThe move comes after Manner launched a counter-campaign against the Hotspur Press listing bids, backed by hundreds of residents, which argued that listing creates the real risk of [the building] being condemned given its very poor current condition.The companys managing director, Richard James, described the decision as a huge win for Manchester. Source:Hodder + Partners (taken from planning documents)Hodder + Partners' plans for a 37-storey student tower and redevelopment of Manchester's Hotspur PressHodders Gloucester Street scheme involves partially demolishing the dilapidated 19th-century building, which closed in 1996 and has been vacant since 2017. Its roof will be removed and the student tower block built behind it. The Hotspur Press faade will be restored, with its Percy Brothers signage preserved.Manchester City Council approved the scheme in May 2024.The following month it emerged that campaign group SAVE Britains Heritage was one of at least two different parties making fresh calls for the mill building to be urgently listed due to its nationally significant special historic and architectural interest.Historic England had already declined to list the building in 2019, concluding that it did not meet the necessary threshold for architectural or historic interest.AdvertisementManchester planning officers had warned councillors that the mills partial demolition would destroy a beautiful building and a key part of Manchester history.But their report concluded that it was a necessary step to make the scheme viable and create substantial public benefits.In a statement last year, SAVE said: Medlock Mill is of special historic and architectural interest as it retains evidence of early mill technology in which a waterwheel was connected to a steam-powered pumping engine.The organisation continued: There is also evidence that it was, unusually, operating as an integrated mill with both spinning and weaving.It represents an important stage in the evolution of power generation from the late 18th to 19th century, making it the only surviving mill of this type in Manchester. Source:Hodder + Partners (taken from planning documents)Hodder director Stephen Hodder told the AJ last month: The regeneration of Hotspur Press is more than a building, more than purpose-built student accommodation.It connects Manchesters industrial heritage with its future and, together with the new public realm on the site of the former weaving sheds, will become a focus for the wider community.The project also includes public realm improvements, including a new square connecting the tower to First Street.Manner first revealed the proposals in October 2023. A previous residential scheme for the site gained planning permission in 2018 but stalled in 2020.A design and access statement explained that the building was changed to purpose-built student accommodation following changes in regulations post-Grenfell that require a second stair for escape, which was not provided in the consented scheme.Planning officers said the schemes benefits included the delivery of much-needed student accommodation and the development of a derelict site in urgent need of investment.The scheme was approved subject to a Section 106 legal agreement to secure affordable student housing in the tower.