Co-op HQ in for planning

THE Co-operative Group has submitted the plans for its new £100m headquarters in Manchester for consideration by the city council.

The £13bn turnover group, the largest consumer co-operative in Europe, has had its base in the North West for 150 years.

The new 15-storey, 325,000 sq ft  head office, to be designed by 3D Reid, will be built on land on Miller Street, opposite the Co-operative Insurance tower.

The new headquarters will represent the first phase in the redevelopment and regeneration of the group’s 20-acre site, located at the city’s Northern Gateway and bounded by Miller Street and Corporation Street. 

The development framework for this scheme has been fully endorsed by the city council.

If planning permission is granted, work will start on the building at the beginning of next year with occupation scheduled for mid-2012. 

Chief executive Peter Marks said that the project would reflect the ethical values of the organisation in its design and construction.

Key features of the building will include meeting the highest environmental standards and providing the city with an architectural landmark.