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SimpsonHaugh and Partners has won planning permission for a regeneration scheme – including a 51-storey tower – on the former Granada studios site in Manchester.

The mixed use scheme, dubbed St John’s Place, was granted approval by Manchester City Council’s planning committee last week, includes four buildings which will provide 387 residential units, 313 hotel rooms and 14 serviced apartments, plus shops offices, restaurants and cafes.

The scheme, with its 168m-tall centrepiece, is being delivered by Manchester Quays Limited, a joint venture between Manchester City Council and developer Allied London.

A report by planners said: ‘The proposed buildings and associated public realm would be of a high quality and would significantly contribute to the high quality of design in the area.’

Heritage watchdog Historic England raised no objection to the scheme, despite its proximity to the Grade I-listed Liverpool Road Station – the oldest railway terminus in the world.

It said: ’The architectural design of the development means that there would be significant contrast in form and materials and sufficient distance to prevent the main tower from exerting an overly dominant influence.’

The scheme is part of a 2015 masterplan for the wider St John’s area, also produced by SimpsonHaugh.

It will see the demolition of an office building and warehouse on the site, both judged to have low heritage significance.

The tower’s facade would have a uniform appearance with a consistent use of colours and materials on opposite facades.

The facade treatment would consist of a grid of dark grey anodised aluminium cladding projected from clear and opaque glazing.

The planning report said: ‘Materials that reflect light would be used and the facade would change in response to light conditions and time of day.’