The University of Manchester’s redevelopment plans for Fallowfield Campus have reached a significant milestone with the submission of a Reserved Matters Planning Application.
The application outlines detailed proposals for the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the scheme, covering Owens Park, Oak House, and Woolton Hall.
This submission builds on the Outline Planning Permission granted in January 2024 and will now be assessed by Manchester City Council’s planning department.
A five-week consultation and engagement process took place in December 2024 and early January 2025, ensuring local community feedback played a role in shaping the proposals.
The redevelopment plan includes 3,300 modern, high-quality student bedspaces, along with dedicated amenity space, ancillary residential dwellings, and enhanced green spaces. The design features five distinct neighbourhoods celebrating local history and character, with a central hub serving as the focal point of the campus.
Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience at the University of Manchester, commented on the submission: “This is an important milestone in realising our vision for the Fallowfield Campus. The plans and proposals within the Reserved Matters Application reinforce our commitment to providing new and returning students with modern, high-quality accommodation, and will help us to meet the future needs of our student population.”
The project is being delivered by the Viridis Consortium, a partnership between GRAHAM, Equitix, and Derwent FM.
Demolition of the Owens Park Tower and surrounding buildings is currently underway, with enabling works progressing ahead of the main construction phase, set to begin in 2026. A phased handover will allow students to move into their new accommodation from 2027 through to 2030.
GRAHAM has led the planning process in collaboration with the University of Manchester, architects Sheppard Robson, and planning consultants Deloitte.
Neil McFarlane, GRAHAM Project Director for the Fallowfield Campus, highlighted the importance of the submission: “The planning submission is a further important milestone for the Fallowfield Campus project. It is the culmination of months of challenging work and an intensive programme of engagement with the University, staff, students and the local community. We believe the submitted plans will create an exemplar sustainable campus that will enhance the experience of the University’s next generation of students.”
Sustainability is a core aspect of the redevelopment, with the project set to become one of the world’s largest Passivhaus developments. This will ensure the buildings use less energy, maintain good indoor air quality, and provide comfortable temperatures throughout the year. The development is also targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, an independent sustainability benchmark, while preserving the mature landscape and enhancing green spaces throughout the campus.
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