Proposal for 440-bed managed student accommodation scheme
Plans for a new student residential development on the site of the USDAW building in central Fallowfield have been revealed.
Watkin Jones, a multi-occupancy residential developer, is bringing forward plans for new purpose-built managed student accommodation on the site which sits opposite the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield campus.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has operated from the site for more than 100 years. Its decision to move premises has been driven by high maintenance and running costs, an unsuitable building layout and outdated facilities which make disabled access difficult throughout the building.
Given its proximity to existing professionally-managed student accommodation and local bus connections linking to the universities and city centre, the site is considered an ideal location for new purpose-built student accommodation.
Once built, the accommodation would provide a high-quality alternative to homes of multiple occupancy (HMOs) in the Fallowfield area, in turn supporting enhanced student wellbeing and facilitating the freeing up of properties for the mainstream residential market.
As well as an alternative to HMOs, the proposals are anticipated to be cheaper than comparable city centre products.
The scheme has been designed by local architecture practice, Tim Groom Architects, and influenced by local heritage consultant Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture.
The proposals seek to regenerate the site while retaining the historical Oakley Villa that can be seen from Wilmslow Road.
The design will create a student residential cluster of buildings with a strong sense of place, including an internal landscaped courtyard which is anchored around Oakley Villa, which will host new communal facilities.
Approximately 440 beds will be delivered via a series of flats and studios, with the communal facilities proposed including a cinema room, multimedia/gaming room, lounge areas and meeting rooms.
Once established, it is expected that the development will be managed by Fresh, the operational and management arm of the Watkin Jones Group and an expert in the purpose-built managed accommodation sector.
Iain Smith, group planning director, said: “The site is ideally located for student accommodation, given its proximity to existing student accommodation, the existing Fallowfield campus and Fallowfield District Centre.
“Furthermore, it is located along a central bus route which connects Fallowfield to the universities and Manchester city centre. Delivering high-quality, purpose-built managed student accommodation at this site would mean that students can reside in facilities that are best suited to their needs, in turn reducing demand for HMOs which have accounted for a significant share of the area’s housing stock.”
He added: “Public engagement is important to us, and I’d like to encourage anyone with an interest in the site to provide their feedback as part of our public consultation.”
Ahead of submitting a planning application to Manchester City Council, the development team is hosting a public consultation on the proposals.
The consultation will run between Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 27. During this time, residents, students and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback via a dedicated project website available at www.watkinjonesfallowfield.co.uk
The project website includes a virtual exhibition to reflect the current social distancing measures, as well as a feedback form to collect feedback.
