£120m campus on track
A BLUEPRINT for a £120 million ‘community campus’ in Manchester is to go before city planners in the New Year.
Manchester Metropolitan University plans to move the Institute of Education and the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care to a purpose-built campus in the heart of Hulme.
The plans, which mix academic, student and community spaces and promise to create 300 jobs will be submitted as a formal application to Manchester City Council in January, with public opinion on the updated plans being canvassed from today.
MMU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Brooks believes the Birley Fields campus is the perfect place for the university to operate its community-oriented faculties of health and education.
Huge benefits
“This move into Hulme will put us at the heart of the community we serve, giving students a fantastic new experience and having positive impacts on business, community spirit and educational aspiration.
“In these tough times, we believe it is right to be investing in the next generation, and it is vital that we move from seven to two campuses to reduce costs.
“We must continue our mission to invest in community cohesion and in providing the right training and expertise to support our schools, hospitals and social services.”
Manchester City Council, politicians, housing groups, and the NHS are backing the plans, which incorporate a strong sustainable element in design and operation, including state-of-the-art technology such as force ventilation and solar-heated water.
Listening to the public
A three-month consultation in 2009 led by Drivers Jonas Deloitte found 80% of local residents thought the campus would have a positive impact on the area, and invited views on design and amenity.
“We responded very thoughtfully to local residents’ opinions and we are delighted to present them with a plan which incorporates many of their ideas,” added Professor Brooks
“For instance, the campus looks and feels very green. We have retained most of the trees and almost two-thirds of the total site is open space, while the building heights are in keeping with the neighbourhood.”
Residents are again being asked for their views in a door-to-door questionnaire delivered this week to 7,500 homes and at a series of community engagement events at Hulme Library, Zion Arts Centre, the community garden centre and local superstore.
For more information and details of consultation events go to the Birley Fields mini-site.
