Skyscrapers are necessary for an ambitious and outward-looking Manchester, Bev Craig says

The piece, titled “Skyscrapers are necessary for an ambitious and outward‑looking Manchester, Bev Craig says,” was authored by Alex King and published by The Meteor, a media co‑oper‑ative known for community‑focused reporting. It records statements made by Councillor Bev Craig, the newly elected leader of Manchester City Council, during a conference on social value in Cheetham Hill. The article draws on excerpts from the conference, comments from housing campaigners, and details of the Trinity Islands development.

Craig argues that Manchester must combine skyscraper construction with affordable and social housing to achieve an “ambitious and outward‑looking” city profile. She highlights the city’s need for private‑sector investment while insisting that such development should not overlook housing for lower‑income residents. The council recently approved the Trinity Islands scheme, which will see Renaker build four high‑rise towers in Deansgate ward.

Renaker projects £89.3 million in profits from the Trinity Islands project. As part of the agreement, the developer will contribute £106,000 toward off‑site affordable housing. The council has also earmarked £10 million for public‑realm works linked to the development, including a new public park and a primary school. A “clawback mechanism” is in place to recover additional funds should Renaker’s profits exceed forecasts.

Craig announced a forthcoming housing strategy that aims to deliver over 10,000 social and affordable homes across Manchester. The plan emphasizes mixed‑use neighbourhoods and seeks to avoid concentrating new housing solely in the city centre. However, the Trinity Islands scheme itself will not provide on‑site affordable units, a point contested by campaigners.

Representatives of Greater Manchester Housing Action, such as Isaac Rose, criticised the limited affordable‑housing contribution, describing it as a token amount that encourages gentrification and segregation. They warned that unchecked high‑rise development without substantial on‑site affordable housing could deepen social divides in the city.

The article links the skyscraper agenda to broader sustainability goals by noting the council’s investment in public space, green infrastructure, and community facilities. The promised park and school are presented as components of a more sustainable urban fabric, though critics argue that true sustainability also requires equitable housing provision.

Craig’s statements were made at a conference co‑hosted by Manchester City Council and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), underscoring the collaborative approach to integrating social value into planning decisions. The council’s use of a clawback clause reflects an attempt to balance private profit with public benefit.

The article concludes that Manchester stands at a crossroads, with the new leadership poised to shape the city’s housing trajectory. The upcoming housing strategy will be closely watched by both developers and community groups as an indicator of how the city intends to reconcile high‑rise development with the need for sustainable, inclusive housing.