THE PROPOSAL
The proposed development at Manchester Science Park will see the existing Greenheys building demolished to deliver a new building comprising six occupiable floors with a plant level above. The building will provide purpose-built lab and office space for businesses working within the life science and healthcare sector.
The proposals represent a unique opportunity to support the relocation of an internationally significant health organisation into Manchester, whilst also providing additional space for existing businesses on the campus to expand and to welcome new businesses to the Park and city. Whilst it is not yet possible to announce the occupier, Bruntwood SciTech looks forward to sharing more details over the next few months.
The proposed building has been stepped back from Greenheys Lane, consistent with the approach for the Base building, which will create an increased distance of c.40 metres between the building’s main façade and the nearest residential buildings.
The main entrance will be at the Eastern end of the building, facing the Bright Building. At the West end, a boundary wall will enclose the servicing area, in order to minimise impacts on Greenheys Lane. The servicing area will be partially enclosed and include landscaping and trees, and the boundary wall will be treated with an extensive green wall, to enhance biodiversity across this frontage.
Proposed view from Pencroft Way looking west.Parking Provision
The proposals will require the redevelopment of the existing visitor car park and we recognise that parking provision is a key consideration for the proposals. As such, an updated site-wide parking strategy for MSP is being developed, which will be submitted with the planning application. Through use of on-going monitoring and management of existing parking spaces across the campus, we will more effectively allocate spaces to meet demand.
Highways and Servicing
We have appointed Curtins which is a nationally recognised transport consultancy. Curtins are preparing a Transport Statement to consider the existing and future highways and transport conditions in the vicinity of the site. This document will be submitted as part of the planning application.
The proposed location and form of the servicing area have been subject to a process of analysing various options of detailed design to minimise any associated highways and amenity impacts, and the layout and dedicated entrance/exits of the service area have been developed to ensure vehicles have space to manoeuvre entirely within the site’s boundary.
Future servicing will also be subject to a robust service management strategy, which will ensure sufficient capacity for vehicle movements to safely enter and exit the site and cater for other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. In this context, the proposals will:
- Enable service vehicles to enter and access the site whilst ensuring the safety of all other road users
- Ensure servicing requirements are subject to a robust management plan, keeping vehicle movements to a minimum. The service area will typically be operational between 7am and 5pm
- Relocate the existing Southbound bus stop on Greenheys Lane approximately 8 metres to the North
- Provide a new pedestrian crossing on Greenheys Lane.
The proposals have been discussed with the Local Highways Authority, who are supportive in-principle of emerging designs and servicing arrangements, and all details will be included in the planning application.
Landscaping and Public Realm
The MSP masterplan includes an ambition to improve public realm and pedestrian connections through the neighbourhood, particularly between Oxford Road and the communities of Hulme and Moss Side to the West and South. To address this objective, a new area of landscaped public realm will also be delivered at the Eastern end of the site, which will positively contribute towards the objective of pedestrianising and improving Pencroft Way.
Along the Southern boundary, the proposals will enhance the existing East / West pedestrian route. A green wall will also be included along the East and Southern boundaries, and to the northern edge climbing plants will be introduced, which will add a biodiversity and greenery along these pedestrian routes.
Proposed view from Greenheys Lane, looking east.
Proposed view looking north along Greenheys Lane.