Manchester City Council has given the go-ahead for the development of a mixed-use, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and life sciences scheme at Upper Brook Street in Ardwick by a property consortium comprising Property Alliance Group (Alliance), Moda Living, Williams Motor Holdings Co, McLaren Property and Kadans Science Partner.
The consortium also intends to deliver new public realm and amenities acres the two adjacent sites, totalling five acres. Alliance and Moda Living will deliver 328,000 sq ft of Grade A life science facilities, 983 PBSA units (220 affordable) and three acres of new public realm on one site and McLaren Property and Kadans Science Partner have received consent for circa 490,000 sq ft of PBSA space providing 737 student beds, and 216,000 sq ft of purpose-built technical real estate space on the adjacent site.
Together, the two schemes will provide 766,000 sq ft of life science accommodation, 1,720 student beds, community facilities and public uses, such as GP surgery, a new community centre, a local convenience store, retail and cafés.
Alex Russell, of Property Alliance Group, said: “This is a hugely progressive and positive step forward for Manchester, and we are over the moon to play our part in bringing to fruition some of the city’s most important and strategic ambitions. Since the inception of plans, to working alongside the incredible team and key stakeholders, to presenting the benefits of the new neighbourhood, the council’s regeneration objectives for the area and the community, have been our central focus. We intend to continue to work closely with our stakeholders and residents, to create an outstanding, connected new area for residents, students and professionals.”
James Blakey, planning and engagement director at Moda Group, added: “We are delighted the planning committee endorsed the officer recommendation to approve our application so we can deliver our plans to regenerate this part of the city. This is a major step forward for Moda’s growing PBSA pipeline, and the proposals for Upper Brook Street are crucial to support Manchester’s Economic and Investment Growth Strategy as both a city and as a major player within the city region.
“Providing highly managed accommodation will help alleviate the ongoing issue of students living in houses which could be occupied by local residents and families. We have also made a commitment to providing subsidised affordable student accommodation whose occupants will have exactly the same access to on-site facilities and services as everyone else.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with established local employment, training and skills agencies such as The Growth Company and Job Centre Plus to optimise the significant work and apprenticeship opportunities for local people and the wider community.”
David Atherton, divisional managing director at McLaren Property, said: “We are thrilled that the planning committee resolved to support our reimagined vision for the regeneration of Upper Brook Street. This is a milestone moment for a project that is a true example of collaboration between developers, the council and wider stakeholders to drive positive change. We are now focussed on delivering exemplary buildings and the raft of community benefits that this project will deliver. We look forward to the construction phase and bringing about the long term positive contribution these new buildings and neighbourhood will make to Manchester’s economy.”
Will Fogden, senior development manager, Kadans Science Partner, added: “It’s exciting to reach this important milestone in the development process. Adopting a philosophy of designing ‘inside-out’ the scheme combines strong architectural language with robust functionality to create an optimum framework for innovation and collaboration. We look forward to starting on site in 2024 and delivering on this transformational district that interlinks landscaped routes, ground floor activation and game changing science.”
McLaren Property and Kadans expect to start construction works in Q2 2024.
Planning consultancy, Ashton Hale, is working alongside the parties for both schemes on the Upper Brook Street masterplan, with Re-form Landscape Architecture leading the design of the public realm.
Hawkins\Brown is the architect for Alliance’s and Moda Living’s life science facility and Simpson Haugh is the architect for the PBSA. Sheppard Robson has designed McLaren Property’s and Kadans Science Partner’s PBSA and life science space.
