Manchester College’s former brewery site plans to move forward

Plans designed to allow Manchester College to build its new city centre campus on the site of the former Boddington’s Brewery and create about 500 jobs look set to move ahead.The proposals are part of the revised Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the area, an addendum for which was approved by Manchester City Council’s executive in March.The updated document – the first incarnations of which were backed in 2007 and in 2015 – outlined the opportunity for Manchester College to establish a major presence on the plot, alongside a multi-storey car park and the residential and commercial development set out within the 2015 document.Such a facility is earmarked for the corner of Great Ducie Street and New Bridge Street. It would support sustainable economic and employment growth, as well as a host of opportunities for residents through training, apprenticeships, vocational subjects and further education. About 500 construction jobs would be created.”Regeneration of the area will provide a major focus for new investment and contribute towards a growth in employment opportunities and the economic performance of the wider city centre,” said a report to the authority’s executive.On the back of the March endorsement, it was requested that a public consultation exercise be carried out in relation to the proposals. The results are now being fed back to the executive.Letters were sent out to 515 residents, landowners, businesses, community groups and stakeholders, informing them about the public consultation, how to participate and engage, and where to access the SRF document. The process opened on 22 March and closed on 3 May.A range of topics were raised in the responses but the feedback was considered to be generally supportive.The executive – which will meet on 26 June – has now been advised to formally approve the draft SRF addendum and request that Planning and Highways Committee take the document into account as a material consideration when considering applications for the site.”The support received for the new city centre campus is welcomed,” said a report to the executive. “The framework aligns with the city’s priorities for economic growth, employment and skill development for the growing population.”The Manchester College campus will provide new opportunities for learning, and in particular contribute to meeting the employment demand of a growing digital and creative sector. This aligns with the Greater Manchester Skills Strategy and priorities.”In 2018, Prosperity secured planning consent for an eastern portion of the site to bring forward 556 residential units and 37,500 sq ft of commercial floor space.