Project Name: Hilton Hotel; Deansgate, Manchester

Type of Project: Historic Background, Visual Impact Assessment, Tall Buildings Statement, PPG 15 Justification Statement

Date: March/July 2003

Architect: Ian Simpson Architects

Planner: Drivers Jonas

Special Interest: This site contained a unique survival of a 3-way railway goods exchange station, serving the railway, canal and road networks of the Manchester region. Built to be fully fire proof, it was considered in its day to be one of the most advanced railway goods exchanges in the country. The viaduct was constructed at the turn of the 20th century as an extension to the slightly earlier viaduct which brought Cheshire Lines into Central Station.

The Castlefield Conservation Area is one of the largest and most important in Manchester. The canal basins and wharves were so copious by the time the railways were built that the only practical means of introducing railway transport was by building viaducts. The result is a multi-level environment which is unique in the world. 

Scope of Professional Services:
eritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake the following:

• VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: A detailed Visual Impact Assessment of the proposed Hilton Hotel on the historic environment was undertaken by Heritage Architecture Ltd with considerations including the likely effect of the proposal on key views and the character of the Castlefield Conservation Area, Tentative World Heritage Site and the setting of listed buildings in the immediate environs.  

• TALL BUILDINGS STATEMENT: Heritage Architecture Ltd contributed to the Tall Buildings Statement, which was formulated in accordance with Guidance on Tall Buildings published by English Heritage and CABE (2003). The assessment included matters of natural topography, scale, height, urban grain, streetscape and built form in relation to: (1) Tentative World Heritage Site and its setting (including buffer zones); (2) Listed buildings and their settings; including the foregrounds and backdrops to landmark buildings; (3) Conservation Areas and their settings; and (4) other important views, prospects and panoramas.

• PPG15 JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT: A justification statement was formulated for the demolition of the surviving part of the railway viaduct and the effect of the proposed development on the listed building and on its setting. The statement included consideration of the potential visual impact likely to result from the proposed development on the adjacent Castlefield Conservation Area, Tentative World Heritage Site, other listed buildings and the city generally.