Plans, promoted by cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff, for a 35-storey residential tower in the Hulme district of central Manchester have been given the thumbs down by planners amidst growing concern that a ring of tower blocks around the city centre wil separate the wealthy centre from its neighbours.

Plans for the Britannia Basin site, Arundel Street, had been criticised by local residents in a 600-name petition. They argued the site would overwhelm local landmarks and not promote a long-term community, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Residents also objected to the traffic likely to be caused by the 386-unit Logick Developments scheme, which council officers had recommended for approval.

However, on the casting vote of the chairman, councillors on the city planning committee indicated that they were minded to refuse the application.

Logick will now have an opportunity to revise the plan ahead of a second vote.

Flintoff is also connected with plans for two sites adjacent to U+I's Mayfield site, near Piccadilly, Place North West reports. An hotel and a residential scheme are being considered.

Flintoff joined the board of Logick as a director in May. The company was formed in 2009. Logick's  managing director is Flintoff's cousin Neil Spencer.

Concerns about a ring of tower blocks around the centre have been raised by developers including Capital & Centric founder Tim Heatley. Speaking at Bisnow's Manchester Build-to-Rent Boom event in September he said: "I like to see tall stuff in Manchester, but taller has to be better. Do the towers prevent the regeneration effect from rippling out beyond the towers?"