Alderley Park masterplan out
A draft development framework and indicative masterplan for the 400-acre Alderley Park in Cheshire has been released, with surplus sites highlighted for demolition to make way for residential, hotel, office and leisure uses.
Cheshire East Council and Manchester Science Partnerships have put together the document to guide future planning applications at the site to support the continued use of Alderley Park as a life sciences research base.
The framework said: "New land uses should be connected with life science activities, or by high value uses which release funds necessary to enable delivery of a world class Life Sciences Park."
MSP acquired the 400-acre Alderley Park, formerly occupied by AstraZeneca, in March 2014.
See below for indicative masterplan and development framework
The framework divides the park into four key areas; Mereside, Parklands, South Campus, and Woodlands and Farm.
Mereside is outlined as the main location for life science occupiers, however "demand for life science floor space is likely, at least in the short to medium term, to be less than the current floor space on the site".
The framework quoted a report from February 2014 by the Alderley Edge Taskforce, in which occupier demand was estimated at 700,000 sq ft up to 2030, leaving 1.1m sq ft of available floorspace.
According to the framework, "even based on the more optimistic estimates of the new owners, opportunities will exist to demolish surplus floor space."
Potential alternative land uses include a hotel, industrial and storage units, residential and non-residential institutions where the use is related to healthcare or serves the needs of site occupiers, high-quality housing, and leisure facilities.
Residential development is focused on the site of existing car park at Mereside West along the Mere.
In Parklands, the framework outlined the potential for "discrete high quality residential development". Woodlands and Farm will be the focus for recreational parkland space with public access, alongside smaller scale mixed-use development, with a range of commercial facilities and residential enclaves.
Construction on the more open areas of previously developed land which may border with the green belt would not be ruled out, but would require "very special circumstances".
Rowena Burns, chief executive of Manchester Science Partnerships said: "The future of Alderley Park as a high quality bioscience centre is vitally important to the local economy. Since MSP purchased the site earlier this year we have been working on how we can deliver the high quality, sensitive and appropriate development within the site necessary to secure that future. The draft development framework for Alderley Park is now with Cheshire East Council's cabinet for a decision. Any future development proposals at Alderley Park will be the subject of extensive public consultation at the appropriate stage."
The development framework and indicative masterplan will be put out to a six-week public consultation.
MSP is a Manchester based public-private partnership and the UK's largest science park operator. MSP's shareholders are Bruntwood, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester, Cheshire East and Salford City Councils.
HOW Planning and Planit-IE are advising MSP on the masterplanning of Alderley Park.
Click here to view the Alderley Park development framework
Click either image below to enlarge
- Outline of buildings that could be demolished
- Alderley Park indicative masterplan
