Plans to turn old restaurant into airport hotel knocked back after residents object over ‘comings and goings’

The Moss Nook in Wythenshawe closed a decade ago but residents expressed concerns about parking if a hotel was to replace it.
Plans for a hotel to replace a former restaurant, The Moss Nook, in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Credit: Frost Planning Limited / Newark GroupPlans for a hotel to replace a former restaurant, The Moss Nook, in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Credit: Frost Planning Limited / Newark Group
Plans for a hotel to replace a former restaurant, The Moss Nook, in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Credit: Frost Planning Limited / Newark Group

Plans to knock down a former restaurant and build a 30-bedroom hotel near Manchester Airport have been thrown out following objections from residents.

The Moss Nook in Wythenshawe, which closed in 2011, will not be demolished for now as Manchester council’s planning panel voted against the application.

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It comes after residents complained about the impact the new airport hotel would have on the area, citing a lack of parking spaces as a primary concern.

Salford-based developer Newpark Group changed the designs to increase the number of parking spaces on the site – but neighbours were still not satisfied.

Speaking on behalf of the Moss Nook Residents’ Association, Rod Havercroft told the committee that the hotel is ‘incompatible’ with the residential area.

He said: “It is too big and changes the dynamic into a 24-hour, seven-day-per week, 365-day operation, overpowering the residents by night and day business operations which will also add too many additional people and vehicles.”

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Mr Havercroft referred to a previous council decision to refuse planning permission for a 15-room hotel on the same site around 25 years ago.

He argued that although many things have changed, the reasons still stand.

‘We scaled it back’

Newpark Group director Abraham Halpern said the developer has ‘engaged positively’ with planning officers and made many changes to the proposal.

He said: “We had a larger design – we scaled back the design. 

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“We changed the design numerous times. We changed the design completely to try and keep within character of the local area.”

But Woodhouse Park councillor Sarah Judge said there was still ‘strong feeling’ against the proposed development among residents in the area.

She said: “The comings and goings of an airport hotel would be at considerable detriment to local residents with comings and goings likely to happen late at night and early in the morning.

“This is a predominantly residential area. It has a village feel, and this proposed hotel would completely change the look of the area. The area is characterised by historic cottages and this development is completely out of character.”

How was the refusal decision reached?

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The planning committee already considered this application in October but was ‘minded to refuse’, requesting more information to address concerns.

Speaking at a committee meeting on Thursday (16 December), councillor Jill Lovecy said she felt ‘unpersuaded’ by the amendments to the application.

She said: “It seems to me the other issues remain firmly on the table to pursue further in terms of over development and also being out of keeping with the character of the village, including the size of this business in relation to the other smaller businesses.”

Coun Lovecy also raised concerns about the impact of ‘overspill’ parking.

The committee voted to refused planning permission for the application.