At the time of writing, it should be noted that University of Manchester has commissioned consultancy Student First to undertake a PBSA need to study in order assess the market and their need for PBSA bedspaces over the coming years. The report will have a broader focus than this study in considering 10 Higher Education establishments across Greater Manchester (including UAE92, Salford, Bolton) that generate demand for PBSA. Once completed, this report can provide a further layer of evidence and analysis to be considered alongside this report.
1.8. Meetings with the Estates teams at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University have taken place to better understand the nature of demand as well as the universities' planned contribution to meet the demand.
1.9. Overall, 20 sites have been identified as potentially being capable of supporting circa 11,730 PBSA bedspaces as part of this study which covers the city centre, plus sites within close proximity to the city centre as it extends southwards along Oxford Road. Their suitability, availability and therefore deliverability have been critically assessed in order to establish whether they are capable of meeting new bedspace requirements, in line with identified and projected need. On this basis, it is considered whether the requirements of Policy H12 would be defendable as part of an appeals process in the short term and whether the overall Policy approach remains appropriate and sustainable as Manchester's Development Plan is reviewed.
1.10. Appraisals have been prepared for each site to objectively test and challenge their deliverability and dependability. We have identified where there are limitations to our analysis, based on the availability of quality of information.
1.11. In considering the above, for all sites where planning permission has not yet been granted, it should be noted that the sites identified in this report are not intended to represent an exhaustive list. Indeed, there may be other unidentified sites within appropriate locations that are therefore capable of meeting the requirements of Policy H12 as well as the Development Plan as a whole and other material considerations.
1.12. This remainder of this PBSA Report is structured as follows:
Section 2 details the methodology and scope of work developed to assist in enhancing the evidence base.
Section 3 sets out the background and context including the shift in demand for PBSA, recent appeal decisions and the current adopted policy position. We also capture the general feedback with regard to PBSA delivery and their priorities, received from both University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Section 4 provides a summary of the main finding from our site assessments. Detailed assessment proformas are then provided at Appendix 1 of this document.
Section 5 sets our overall conclusions and recommendations with regard to Policy H12.