Pioneering five-building scheme to bring £8m-worth of social benefits to city

A planning application has been submitted for a dynamic and creative workplace development in New Islington, Manchester.

The project aims to set a new standard for social impact in the city, with nearly £8m of social value set to be generated for the local community over a five-year period.

Subject to approval from Manchester City Council, London-based developer General Projects will create a five-building campus that will ultimately bring 3,500 jobs to the area alongside more than 100 SMEs, together with a mix of innovative blue-chip companies.

General Projects’ vision for Pollard Street – its first development in the city – is for an inclusive, modern, innovative and sustainable commercial destination.

Space available within the campus will range from micro-units to Grade A creative innovation offices, meaning it will appeal to ambitious start-ups, fast growing SMEs and more established businesses.

All organisations located at the development will share a common commitment to supporting local people through ‘community give back’ initiatives such as mentoring, training, employment or supporting apprenticeships.

Located alongside the Ashton Canal and inspired by the city’s historic cotton and textile mills, the development, designed by architects Hawkins\Brown and landscape architects Planit.IE, will deliver more than two acres of new, exceptional public space, as the area benefits from a £5m investment into landscape and green space to create a better, healthier and safer environment.

The sustainable credentials of Pollard Street will be underpinned by its car-free policy, low carbon transport links and an innovative low-carbon approach to construction and operation.

More than 50 new trees will be planted on site and 550 bike spaces will be provided as the development delivers a 30% net gain in biodiversity.

General Projects’ vision is further emphasised by its commitment to setting a new standard for social investment through the built environment.

This includes forming a new Community Wealth Partnership with Manchester City Council, which will see the delivery of a range of targeted social initiatives, including:

• Mentoring programmes for local young people and businesses
• Free workspace for local start-ups
• Apprenticeship and internship programmes to tackle local unemployment
• Commitments to generate more than 5,000 hours of community voluntary work per year
• A programme of regular events including school open days to skills and training events

Jacob Loftus, founder and chief executive of General Projects, said: “We are thrilled and excited to be bringing our plans for Pollard Street forward.

“We have been eager to work in Manchester for a long time and while we know the pandemic will bring challenges for the local economy in the short term, it remains a city alive with an extraordinary buzz of enterprise, innovation and culture.

“At Pollard Street we see the opportunity to do something unique and with a very significant social impact to really drive the recovery forward by creating new opportunities for start-ups, entrepreneurs and local people.

“We hope to set a new benchmark for delivering transformative social value through the built environment. We’re currently liaising with Manchester City Council and other local partners in order to ensure every aspect of the scheme helps support the local area, whether that’s through job creation or improving the local environment.”

He added: “We see our role as developer and building operator and also an enabler in terms of community engagement and social impact by removing many of the barriers that prevent a lot of businesses wanting to put something back into their local area from doing so.”

General Projects has adopted a ‘Manchester-first’ procurement policy, with at least 25% of supply chain spend in Greater Manchester.

During construction, an estimated £200,000 in social value will be generated from apprenticeships, work experience days, site open days and other voluntary, community and social enterprise commitments.

Canal view image of the scheme

The company’s commitment to creating a lasting legacy in the city is evidenced by its establishment of foundations for the long term in Manchester through its work engaging with local delivery partners.

It has already forged links with local schools, grassroots organisations and community charities to ensure that social value will directly benefit the immediate area.

Katie Tonkinson, partner at Hawkins\Brown and head of Studio North, said: “The scheme is committed to placemaking first with the offer of high-quality public realm and a collection of buildings that champion social awareness, wellbeing and innovation, integrated with the context.

“Pollard Street will be an amazing place to work, built around commitments to community and quality.

“We have worked hard to create environments to allow start-ups, fast-growing SMEs and local entrepreneurs to grow and evolve and where all the community can come together.”