Vision revealed for former BBC site development

A NEW vision including a ‘vibrant new neighbourhood’, offices, retail and leisure uses has been revealed for the former BBC site in Manchester city centre.

Bruntwood and its residential development partner Select Property Group have outlined a masterplan for the 2.5m sq ft mixed-use site at Oxford Road.

It has been produced to reflect Manchester City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework to support the city’s sustained economic growth and deliver employer-led regeneration.

Chris Oglesby of Bruntwood, MSP and Corridor Manchester said: “We’ve produced a masterplan that embraces and exceeds the ambitions of the city’s Strategic Regeneration Framework to create a vibrant new neighbourhood including fantastic new office, residential, retail and leisure uses, alongside exceptional new public spaces and routes through the site.

“Its unique location, connecting the city centre with the Corridor Manchester, enables the site to support the cross-fertilisation and commercialisation of ideas and a public green will provide Manchester with a new open space for people to gather and dwell.”

Select Property Group chief executive Mark Stott said: “It will be a place that draws you in, an extraordinary district for pioneering people and businesses who want to live and work side by side, innovating for the future.

“It’s an exciting time for the future of Manchester and we’re looking forward to sharing more information about the project throughout its development.”

The first planning application features some of the public realm plans, including new tree lined waterside walkways as well as two serviced apartment buildings designed to attract mature, postgraduate and international students.

This will be closely followed by 350,000sq ft of commercial space.