Hodder & Partners’ 40-storey St Michael’s development in Manchester has escaped being called in for a public inquiry in a move that has left campaigners demanding answers.

Manchester city council approved the £200m scheme – created by the practice for a consortium fronted by former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, with the backing of Chinese investor BCEGI Group – in March, despite opposition from Save Britain’s Heritage, the Victorian Society and Manchester Civic Society.

Government heritage adviser Historic England had also expressed concerns over the impact of the proposals on Manchester’s Deansgate/Peter’s Street Conservation Area, which predominantly features 19th-century buildings of three to six storeys.

…