£60m science park investment will lead to creation of 2,500 jobs

A £60m investment into Manchester Science Park, supporting the creation of more than 2,500 jobs, has been announced today (March 7).

Bruntwood SciTech, the Manchester-based science and technology sector-focused property developer, unveiled plans for an extra 131,000 sq ft of specialist lab space.

The plans, which represent the third phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s masterplan to grow the campus to one million sq ft following the completion of its purpose-built Industry 4.0 hub Base in July 2022, will see the existing Greenheys site redeveloped into a six-storey purpose-built lab space designed specifically for scaling life science businesses working in diagnostics, genomics, precision medicine and more.

Offering a range of CL2 labs with supporting office space from 2,500 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft floors, the targeted BREEAM Excellent development will embrace the latest innovations in building materials and environmental technology and is expected to achieve net zero carbon in construction and operation in its shared spaces, while reducing its embodied carbon.

The new building will reduce fossil fuel consumption and be 100% electric, have glare and heat gain reduced through its specially designed ‘solar shading’ facade, and include a green wall wrapped around the first two floors to increase biodiversity and improve air quality.

Further energy efficiency will be gained through carefully designed and responsively-controlled Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems used to safely manage the extraction of fumes and particulates from laboratory environments. There will also be a streamlined waste disposal approach for all businesses locating to Greenheys to reduce traffic and transport emissions.

The redevelopment of Greenheys will expand the existing life science cluster at Manchester Science Park, which is one of the UK’s most established life science and tech communities.

The campus is home to more than 150 fast growth, pioneering SMEs and large market leading businesses spanning biotech, precision medicine, diagnostics, digital health, cyber security, digital technology, medtech and light manufacturing.

These include the likes of international molecular diagnostics group Yourgene Health which opened its new global hub at the campus, Zilico, which is developing the next generation of diagnostic devices for cervical cancer, and enzyme engineering company Imperagen. It will also support further economic growth through the creation of more than 2,500 full time jobs during its construction, operation and in the wider economy as a result of the development.

The new development is located immediately next to the University of Manchester’s main campus, in the heart of the city’s Oxford Road Corridor innovation district, which is home to 50% of the city’s life science businesses.

The Manchester Science Park campus is also a government-designated High Potential Opportunity Zone for Diagnostics and Early Intervention for Healthy Ageing, and a named Enterprise Zone. Businesses moving to the thriving campus will be provided by Bruntwood SciTech with direct access to R&D and funding support, world-class talent, and clinical trials opportunities, along with the recently announced UK-wide life science support network, as well as the research and capabilities of the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the UK’s largest NHS Trust – Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

As well as benefiting from co-location opportunities, the CL2 lab space in Greenheys will offer benefits such as increased vibration resistance and floor loading, and the provision of piped gas distribution systems, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems and Local Exhaust Ventilation servicing to facilitate fume cupboard installations.

Alongside this, high security access, 100GB superfast connectivity, a grab and go food and beverage station, shared breakout space, and an internally secure cycle storage with shower, changing and kit drying facilities will be available. Businesses will also have access to the campus’s 180-person event space, roof terrace social space, cafe and pub, studio gym, multiple meeting rooms including a 24-person boardroom, and on site parking with EV charge points.

Peter Crowther, property director at Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, said: “The future success of the UK life science sector is dependent on its many fast growing and innovative businesses having access to the infrastructure they need, whether that be flexible, specialist workspace or facilitated direct connections into world-class R&D, talent or potential collaboration opportunities with like-minded businesses.

“We continue to demonstrate our long term commitment to the places and cities in which we operate, Manchester Science Park being an exemplar of this. Since 2012 we have invested £43m in completing the first two phases of its masterplan, growing the campus from 210,000 to 500,000 sq ft and supporting more than 2,000 people based there every day, and look forward to commencing with our third phase of redevelopment, at Greenheys.”

Bruntwood SciTech’s continued investment into Manchester Science Park as part of its masterplan signals its long term commitment to developing specialist ecosystems to support the growth of the UK science and tech sector, and the creation of more than 40,000 high value jobs over the next 15 years.

Manchester Science Park is part of Bruntwood SciTech’s network of innovation districts across the UK and 500+ specialist sector business community based across 11 campuses, five of those being in Greater Manchester and Cheshire – Citylabs, Circle Square and ID Manchester in addition to Manchester Science Park within the city’s innovation district, and Alderley Park. Other campuses are located in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and Cambridge.

The new scheme is subject to planning approval by Manchester City Council and will represent another step forward for Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor, one of the North of England’s most important commercial areas, generating around £3bn in GVA per year.

An online consultation event will take place on March 14, and an in person event on March 16, at the Bright Building, Manchester Science Park. Members of the public are invited to attend to find out more information about the plans for the building. Subject to planning, the new development will open in spring 2026, with enabling works starting in summer 2023.

A local team has been appointed to work with Bruntwood SciTech on the redevelopment of Greenheys, consisting of BDP Architects, planning consultancy from Deloitte, cost consultancy from Walker Sime, DW Consulting for structures and civils, and Silcock Leedham for MEP.