PLANS for a 12 storey, 89-apartment block have been given the go-ahead by planning chiefs.

Flats will be built on the former MKM House, in Warwick Road, Old Trafford, after being approved at Trafford Council’s planning committee on Thursday July 14.

The site is currently used as a car park and sits adjacent to the recognisable Warwickgate House.

The scheme has been touted as the ‘regeneration of a prominent, vacant, brownfield ‘eyesore’ site with a flagship development’ and is located in the LCCC Quarter – an area earmarked for redevelopment.

Previous applications for the site include a 13-storey hotel and a 12-storey 70 apartment building but neither projects got off the ground.

Planning permission for the latest scheme had been granted in March 2016 but went before the committee again as the three-level, 108-space car park was reduced to a one-level, 44-space car park by developers.

The 6,289sqm building will comprise of 46 one-bed and 43 two-bed apartments.

At the meeting on Thursday, members had queried the reduction in car park provision. Richard Gee, who spoke on behalf of agent Roman Summer Associates, said that the scheme could not be delivered without this reduction.

The committee accepted that the site was in close proximity to the Metro station and other public transport links and approved the application within five minutes of calling it.

A condition has been put in place that £51,381 will be secured by developers for improvements to Gorse Hill Park; £22,202 towards Local Open Space and £29,179 towards play provision.