Defence Online

Proposals for a £200m mixed-use scheme near Manchester’s Gay Village and a £185m development next to Victoria station have secured the go-ahead.The latest in a string of ambitious transformation projects within the city centre have been approved by Manchester City Council’s planning committee. The £200m Kampus scheme and the £185m New Victoria development are expected to continue the regeneration of an area that has been transformed in recent years through schemes such as First Street, NOMA and Spinningfields.Kampus involves overhauling the former Aytoun Street campus, which was vacated by Manchester Metropolitan University in 2015. The 2.4-acre site overlooking Manchester’s Gay Village is bounded by Aytoun Street, Minshull Street, Chorlton Street and the Rochdale Canal.Designed by architectural practices Mecanoo and shedkm, the first phase of the development by joint venture partners Henry Boot Developments and Capital & Centric involves the creation of 478 private rented sector homes, and 30,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space on the ground and mezzanine floors beneath two 12- to 16-storey new buildings. It also includes the comprehensive refurbishment of the existing 1960s former Aytoun Tower with a rooftop village of timber Dutch townhouses.A planning application for the next phase of KAMPUS to convert the grade II-listed warehouses Minto & Turner and Minshull House into loft apartments and restaurant space, is due to be submitted by the end of the year.Deloitte acted as planning consultant for the joint venture. Demolition works are due to start onsite in the autumn of 2016 with the first units expected to be ready for occupation by the beginning of 2019.At the same meeting, a full planning application by Muse Developments and Network Rail Infrastructure to create a mixed-use scheme (pictured above) on a 2.5-acre site on Corporation Street next to Victoria station was also waved through.The ambitious project involves the creation of a 150,000 sq ft grade A eight-storey office development and two residential buildings rising 20 and 25 storeys high.A total of 520 new homes are planned including 178 one-bed, 286 two-bed and 56 three-bed apartments on the site, which is currently owned by scheme partner Network Rail.The first phase of residential development is expected to provide amenity space including a gym, 24-hour concierge, communal residents’ lounge, cycle storage and roof garden. The office and residential buildings fronting Corporation Street would also feature retail space on the ground floor.In addition, there would be car parking and public realm improvements.Muse will now progress the design and contractor procurement process, with construction expected to begin onsite in the fourth quarter of 2017.Muse is working with Sheppard Robson and Arup on detailed design proposals for the scheme. Deloitte provided support with the preparation of the planning application.