The £390m plan for new student digs in the heart of Manchester

Computer-generated images are revealed in a planning application

Multi-million pound plans to demolish old student halls of residence and replace them with modern high-rise university accommodation have been lodged.

The proposals - yet to be ratified by Manchester city council - involve Cambridge Halls, off Cavendish Street by Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester city centre. They would see the aging Man Met halls torn down and replaced with two buildings 30 and 24-storeys high for around 2,300 students.

The plans show the buildings would be purpose-built student accommodation with 'internal and external rooftop communal amenity space'. Ground floor spaces would be opened up for commercial and community uses.

Unite Students, a UK-wide owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, announced in May it had entered into a joint venture framework agreement with Manchester Met for the development of 2,300 new student beds. Total development costs are expected to reach to £390 million.

The new site at Cambridge Halls, designed by architect Cartwright Pickard, is set for delivery in 2029 and 2030, said United Students. The current student digs, constructed near MMU in the 1990s, offer around 800 beds, but the accommodation is said to no longer meet the needs of students.

As such the university has committed to closing the existing accommodation on the site, with work due to commence on-site later this year.

The plans reveal a 'phased' programme of works, with more than 1,100 beds to be delivered by 2029 and a further 1,200 through to 2030. A central courtyard is also proposed.

The existing thoroughfare through the site following Cavendish Street would be removed, with pedestrians and cyclists re-routed along the parallel Boundary Street West, say the proposals.

"Internally the buildings will provide a highly varied mix of accommodation for the students with cluster bedrooms, post grad bedrooms, studios and fully accessible bedrooms," reveals a design and access statement by Cartwright Pickard.

"The students are provided a mix of study spaces, social spaces, gyms, and wellness facilities including external amenity and recreation areas within lower courtyards and also roof-top areas."

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Gyms and sports facilities would features on the seventh floor of both towers, with flats benefiting from typical shared kitchens.

The university, adds the plans, has developed a 'wider masterplan' for both All Saints and Birley Fields. One aim is to 'create a world class campus that unifies the existing, new and proposed estate faculties with a re-imagined public realm and a character that is reflective of Manchester Met'. Chatham Street, meanwhile, would be pedestrianised.

Turley, the planning consultant, said in a report supporting the planning application 190 jobs would be generated.

They estimated £9.7m a year would be spent on local amenities as a result of the new development, with visiting friends and families of students spending even more.

A report to Manchester City Council in 2023 suggested the need for an additional 5,440 to 11,320 beds for students up to 2030.

"This reflects an under-provision in the city relative to the size of its student population, with the report affirming that there is a clear need for additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester. It is also noted that the site [Cambridge Halls] is one of 20 sites that could contribute towards meeting purpose-built student accommodation need in Manchester during this period," said Turley in its report.

Andrew Fallon, Chief Property Officer, Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Unite Students for the redevelopment of Cambridge Halls. This joint venture will provide much needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our university.

"The project will not only enhance the quality of housing for students, but also benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”

Joe Lister, Unite Students Chief Executive Officer, added: "Partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University to redevelop Cambridge Halls and deliver much needed, high-quality and affordable accommodation for 2,300 students is a hugely exciting step for Unite Students. Our joint-venture partnership will provide further support to Manchester Metropolitan University in meeting their accommodation needs at a time of real housing shortage, so they can focus on providing a world-class experience for their students."