THE PROPOSALS

Delivering modern student accommodation and new facilities for the community

The proposals will deliver 2,330 new student rooms to provide modern and sustainable student accommodation fit for the future.

This will involve the demolition of the existing Cambridge Halls, which fails to meet student expectations and is an unsustainable building in terms of energy and thermal efficiency. The design team has considered the potential to refurbish the existing building however, given its current state, refurbishment is neither suitable nor viable.

2,330 bedrooms will be delivered across the complex via a phased approach. This represents an increase of 1,560 bedrooms on this site, in comparison with the existing provision at Cambridge Halls.

Design Development

The scheme has been designed to consider and complement the surrounding local area, including the residential properties in nearby Hulme and East Cavendish Halls. Local buildings such as the Salutation Pub and the Hulme Hippodrome have also influenced the proposed material palette for the scheme.

The scheme has also been designed to minimise the impact of overshadowing on nearby buildings by stepping the massing from south to north. The tallest elements will be located in the northeastern corners to minimise the loss of daylight on nearby buildings and allow sunlight into the internal courtyards.

A landscape buffer will feature along the length of Cambridge Street between the two phases, as well as landscaped courtyard spaces for enjoyment.

Alongside the student accommodation proposals, there will be a number of new student facilities including a gym, yoga studio and two multi-use games areas (MUGAs). In addition, a number of community uses are proposed for the frontage of the building on Cambridge Street, which could include health and wellbeing spaces and retail. Between the two phases there will also be a landscape buffer across Cambridge Street to improve the streetscape for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Phase 1 will provide

1,126 bedrooms

in readiness for the academic year beginning in September 2029 (est.) and will include a 24-storey building, shouldered by two 11-storey buildings and an 8 storey building. A new community use, such as a retail space, will also be incorporated on Cambridge Street as part of this phase.

Phase 2 will provide

1,204 bedrooms

in readiness for the academic year beginning in September 2030 (est.) and will include a 30-storey building shouldered by two 13-storey buildings and a 8 storey building. Alongside the student accommodation a new two-storey community use, such as a health or wellbeing space, will be incorporated on Cambridge Street as part of this phase.

The development will include social spaces for students, as well as shared facilities.

Pedestrian and cyclist movements

At present, there is a shared cyclist and pedestrian route through the site (along Cambridge Street) between Higher Cambridge Street and Higher Chatham Street.

Pedestrian access onto Higher Cambridge Street through the site will be retained. During construction, there will be a need to reroute pedestrians via Higher Ormond Street and onto Boundary Street West.

Cyclists will be re-routed permanently via Higher Ormond Street and onto Boundary Street West. This is because of a number of reasons, including but not restricted to:

  • The current cycle route creates a conflict between pedestrians and cyclists between Higher Chatham Street and Higher Ormond Street.

  • The risk of cyclists speeding through the site coupled with increased numbers of students living and moving around the campus as part of these proposals creates a risk of cyclist and pedestrian collision.

  • A gap in the roadside railings along Higher Cambridge Street is designed to allow cyclists one-way entry onto the shared route. However, some cyclists also use the gap to exit the route when travelling west and through to Stretford Road. This creates a risk of cyclist-on-cyclist and cyclist-on-vehicle collision as the controlled junction is not used as intended.

  • There is a significant volume of street furniture along the shared route including bollards, signage, trees and planters which narrows the space for cyclists and pedestrians to pass one another safely.

  • Transport Assessments have demonstrated that maintaining a cyclist and pedestrian route along Cavendish Street is therefore not appropriate given the volume of pedestrians and cyclists currently moving and expected to move in each direction.

The route via Boundary Street West therefore offers a suitable alternative for cyclists. It is also proposed that the existing toucan crossing is moved to enable a safe right hand turn from Boundary Street West on to Higher Cambridge Street to support this new route.

The proposal through the site from Higher Cambridge Street and Higher Chatham Street will be pedestrian priority, offering a much improved space with increased public realm.

Proposal through the campus between Higher Cambridge Street and Higher Chatham Street (click to enlarge)

Cycle route proposed on Boundary Street West - Click to enlarge

Community benefits

  • 1500+ fewer students journeying to and from Hulme on a daily basis, due to more students being able to be housed on campus

  • Access to new and improved retail and community facilities

  • New public open space around Cavendish Street and Chatham Street an new additions to the overall urban landscape

  • Well designed, modern architecture

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The existing facilities do not meet current standards on energy and thermal efficiency, nor meet market expectations for students. A range of options have been considered for the redevelopment of the building and it was determined that the most efficient and viable option is to demolish and rebuild.

  • The additional bedrooms on campus improves the University's ability to accommodate existing students on the campus who are currently housed elsewhere and will ultimately reduce the number of student movements to and from Hulme. The Manchester Metropolitan University engagement team works closely with elected members and local residents to mitigate impact on the local community and is committed to ongoing engagement with residents. Unite Students also has existing properties within the local area and is committed to continuing to ensure sufficient and suitable student management plans and security measures. More information will be available about this as the plans progress.

  • The existing building is four storeys.

    In Phase 1, a ground plus 23 storey building is shouldered by two ground plus 10 storey buildings and a ground plus 7 storey building. Phase 2 will include a ground plus 29 storey building shouldered by two ground plus 12 storey buildings and a ground plus 7 storey building.

    The greatest height is to be concentrated towards the north-east of the site in order to respond to context and proximity of other tall buildings within and adjacent to the city centre. The proposals seek to make effective and efficient use of land whilst providing the number of bed spaces that the university needs. The proposed building heights are reflective of the number of student beds required on this site.

  • The split is 91% clusters which would have private bathrooms and shared communal spaces, and 9% studios.

  • An improved public realm is proposed, which will include the creation of community and campus facing spaces engaging with Cambridge Street and Chatham Street. There will also be secure student spaces, linking with ground floor uses. Pedestrian access through the campus will be permitted for the community and student users, which will incorporate improved streetscape such as planting, tree planting and seating.

  • Pedestrian access onto Higher Cambridge Street through the site will be retained. During construction, there will be a need to reroute pedestrians via Higher Ormond Street and onto Boundary Street West.

    Cyclists will be re-routed permanently via Higher Ormond Street and onto Boundary Street West.

  • Subject to receiving planning permission by Manchester City Council, we hope for Phase 1 to be operational by the academic year beginning September 2029 (est.) and Phase 2 to be operational by the academic year beginning September 2030 (est.)