The company behind the proposed ‘CR7’ hotel, and with backing from Cristiano Ronaldo, in Manchester has reignited plans for the project in a bid to ensure it goes ahead.
Southern Green Properties is a joint venture between Eastern Green and Pestana, a hotel chain that’s backed by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The new Manchester hotel is set to be an extension of Pestana’s CR7 brand, which takes its name from Ronaldo’s initials and shirt number.
Planning permission for the hotel was originally granted back in December 2020. If the project ever goes through, the plans will see several existing buildings redeveloped as an 11-storey hotel with 151 bedrooms in the city centre.
Southern Green Properties are seeking to ensure the £27 million project doesn’t expire. If planning permission for the development exceeds its three-year deadline, the consent will lapse.
In order to speed up the process, a letter from planning consultants Deloitte and Southern Green has been submitted to Manchester Council seeking to discharge a number of conditions which would buy it more time.
The letter read: ‘Since planning permission and listed building consent were granted in 2020; however, a number of well documented and unforeseen macroeconomic challenges have resulted in some delays in bringing forward this project.
‘Progress is nonetheless being made, and with a preferred contractor having been identified following a tender process and the design being progressed to commence RIBA Stage four and the project team working on the next steps to facilitate a start in site.
'As such, Southern Green Properties Ltd continues to be fully committed to delivering the permitted scheme which will provide a high quality development and the restoration and long term sustainable reuse of a grade II-listed heritage asset.
'In advance of the consented works coming forward in full, the client is seeking to progress an initial phase of works that will commence the refurbishment process.'
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