AN AGGRESSIVE multi million-pound development in Manchester city centre will "damage the city's historic core", a Government heritage agency has warned.

The development, backed by former Manchester United teammates Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, will feature two skyscrapers and promises to create 1,000 new jobs.

Historic England issued an objection to Manchester City Council over The St Michael's scheme, saying its design will dwarf some of the best buildings in the country and involve the demolition of an important pub.

Bury-born Neville, who attended Elton High School, and Giggs, say the development would deliver “the biggest statement in architecture" the city has seen in modern times.

The 700,000 sq ft scheme includes a 200-bed five-star hotel, 153 apartments, 135,000 sq ft of Grade A offices and a synagogue.

The site will also include 30,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, including two new sky bars/restaurants, in the 31-storey Number One St Michael's, while Number Two St Michael's will be a 21-storey office tower.

Historic England said the design, height and colour of the development on Jackson's Row will dominate the Deansgate and Peter Street conservation area and "dwarf the nationally-important" Central Library and Grade I listed Town Hall.

Meanwhile an online petition to save the Abercromby pub - said to be the inspiration for the pub in BBC's Life On Mars - has over 4,500 supporters.

Catherine Dewar, Historic England's planning director for the north-west, said: "We are deeply concerned about how this scheme would affect some of Manchester's most precious heritage.

"A dynamic city like ours needs to fully embrace development but this scheme is not good enough to justify the damage it would cause to the streets around the site.

"It threatens Manchester with the loss of historic places that have soul and tell important stories about our city's past."

The development was designed by Make Architects, which has delivered some of the most prominent buildings in the country.

Speaking at Manchester Town Hall in July former England full-back Neville, 41, said he wanted the development to become the new landmark in the city.

Neville, who is director of Jackson's Row Developments, said: "Our vision is to deliver the biggest statement in architecture and development that Manchester has seen in modern times."