Manchester City Council’s planning committee has approved West Midlands Metropolitan Authorities Pension Fund’s application for 23 Quay Street.

The proposal involves knocking down Astley House and Byrom House, two 1960s-era interlinking office blocks that are 11 storeys and six storeys high respectively, and replacing them with a building divided into three blocks stepping up in height from east to west.

As previously reported by Insider, the scheme had been recommended for approval by Manchester City Council’s planning officer.

West Midlands Metropolitan Authorities Pension Fund’s application was originally expected to be determined in June 2015 but was deferred to enable a site visit to take place.