Full marks for £38m Manchester college extension

LTE Group has secured approval from Manchester City Council for a 63,000 sq ft add-on to the education facility’s city centre campus off Great Ducie Street.

The Bond Bryan and SimpsonHaugh-designed project marks the second phase of LTE Group’s city centre campus for its brands The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester. The first, £93m phase completed last year and will connect directly to this second building.

While the first phase focused on the creative, computing, and hospitality programmes, the second is dedicated to the college’s business and professional services curriculum as well as its ESOL provision. Coming in at five storeys, the building will include a series of classrooms, IT suites, an esports room, and an incubator hub.

When complete in September 2025, the facility will replace LTE Group’s Shena Simon Campus off Chorlton Street, which is up for sale.

The new building, seen here on the left, is connected to the first phase, pictured on the right. Credit: Bond Bryan via planning documents

In addition to Bond Bryan and SimpsonHaugh, the project team for the second city centre campus building includes planning consultant Avison Young, civil and structural engineer AECOM, mechanical and electrical consultant BDP, fire engineer OFR, and cost consultant Pearson Fraser.

Orion Heritage, Ridge, Ascerta, Hoare Lea, LK Group, and SK Transport are also on the project team.

Rachel Curry, principal of The Manchester College, said the educator was “thrilled” to have planning permission for the extension.

“Thousands of students already benefit from the world-class facilities at City Campus Manchester each week, and we look forward to opening our doors to even more young people and adult students once phase two of the project has been completed,” Curry said.

“The campus will provide an inspiring setting for students to prepare for a successful and rewarding career in industry.”

John Thornhill, chief executive of LTE Group, added: “City Campus Manchester has already transformed the landscape in further and higher education in Greater Manchester.

“We are excited that planning permission for phase two of the project has been given, and we are grateful to all of our partners and supporters for making this ambition a reality and helping us provide the industry-standard facilities that will inspire the next generation of skilled workers needed by employers across Greater Manchester and beyond,” he said.

You can learn more about the second phase of the city centre campus by searching 136492/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.