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Big changes are in store for eight skyscrapers set to be built on the site of a popular Manchester venue.

In July, town hall chiefs earmarked eight new towers for the Diecast site, a bar and food hall operating inside the former Presbar Diecasting Factory behind Piccadilly station.

They could contain '1,400 new homes, significant hotel space, 12,000sqm of workspace, and 6,500sqm of retail, leisure and event space' in the buildings - the tallest of which could be 50 storeys high.

The 'East Village' site has been chosen because Bev Craig, said the area has 'some of the most exciting regeneration opportunities in our city centre'.

The council leader added: "The neighbourhoods behind Piccadilly train station offer some of the most exciting regeneration opportunities in our city centre to continue our sustainable growth agenda – creating opportunities for new jobs, new homes and new green spaces in the heart of our city.

"This area will celebrate the city's industrial past while creating opportunities for our city's residents into the future. And importantly this will be a green neighbourhood with interconnected public spaces that help bring people together, seamlessly connected to the wider city centre, to create a thriving place for everyone."

But the initial strategic regeneration framework (SRF) has been criticised by locals for the planned 'height, transport impact, amenity, community infrastructure, and the integration of Diecast leisure venue in the site', top council boss Becca Heron said on Wednesday (October 15).

And that's sparked several changes to the masterplan, she added at a council executive meeting: "Some changes have been made to the SRF in response to this. We have detailed more on integration and amenity. We have altered the approach on car parking to promote active travel.