The Treasury has formally approved plans for the 900,000 sq ft Manchester Digital Campus (MDC).
The campus will be located on the site of a former retail park in Ancoats, Manchester, which was acquired by Manchester City Council (MCC) in 2017.
The Cabinet Office, the Government Property Agency (GPA) and MCC have worked in close partnership to develop a strategic regeneration framework for the area, with the GPA intending to deliver two government office hubs on a 5.5-acre site, with the council creating a new public park on the remainder of the site.
Planning permission was granted for both schemes in February 2025 and the GPA’s planning was updated in February 2026.
When it is fully operational, the campus will house approximately 8,800 people from multiple government departments with a focus on digital work.
Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley said: “We are turning disused land into a digital centre for government, boosting local growth and supporting regeneration of Manchester’s vibrant city centre. I am a firm believer that the best ideas often come from those on the frontline. Our plans will move decision making out of Whitehall and into cities like Manchester, to ensure national policy is informed by local expertise. This will deliver real, tangible benefits for communities across the North, as well as saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.”
Philippa Harvey, senior responsible owner for the MDC programme, added: “This is the end of the beginning for a programme that has required extraordinary commitment from a huge number of people across government, in Manchester, and across the wider region. MDC is not just a new building – it is a transformation of how government works, bringing together digital expertise at scale in a world-class environment, fully embedded in the community we serve. I am enormously proud of what has been achieved by all involved and excited about what comes next.”
Bev Craig OBE, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a significant announcement for our city. The Manchester Digital Campus will be a landmark programme that cements Manchester’s growing global reputation in digital and cyber industries, creating major opportunities for residents and a huge boost to our city.
“Transforming a derelict site will see thousands of government jobs concentrating in Manchester, as well as supporting 4,900 construction jobs and an unprecedented £2.3bn in social value investment that will directly improve the lives of Mancunians and the communities they call home. This is also a clear commitment by this government to invest in Manchester and a statement that northern investment is good for our city and our region, and it’s also good for the economic growth of the UK.”
