4.1. The full site assessment proformas are provided. Appendix A of this document. Table 4.1 below provides an overview of the key findings and summarises the recommendations of each assessment.
Table 4.1: PBSA Site Assessment Summary
| Site | Ownership | Current Status | Capacity (bedspaces) | Current Deliverability & Defensibility Rating (Red/Amber/Green) | Potential Academic Opening Year (Sept) | Key findings and recommendation |
|---|
| 1) Cambridge Street MCC Circus | Pre-Planning c. 750 | Amber | 2028 | The Site is an existing roundabout with no existing use value, which falls within the ownership of Manchester City Council. This presents the city council with the possibility of using their land assets to support the viability of a scheme that positively addresses quantitative and qualitative need for PBSA as part of the city's forward planning process.
A feasibility study by Hodder and Partners on behalf of Urban Splash suggests that the site could accommodate a scheme of significant scale – approx. 750 bedspaces; however, this has not yet been tested through the planning process.
A constraint to development is the site's proximity to the Mancunian Way / Cambridge Street Junction; however, a construction logistics feasibility study by Tier 1 contractor Kier has indicated that there is a deliverable scheme (and on this basis we have indicated as amber). This would involve disruption to strategic highways over a period of time and a proposed construction compound adjacent to existing residential properties in Hulme.
The site is currently used as a subway and provides important pedestrian connections. Any proposed scheme will continue to need to maintain / enhance safe pedestrian connections for students and the general public.
Should the city council be minded to progress this opportunity, as a means of adding to PBSA supply, then we would recommend the following actions: |