Initial Viridis blocks clear BSR hurdle in Fallowfield

The first two higher-risk buildings within the consortium’s £400m University of Manchester student living scheme have secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator.

The Viridis Living partnership, comprising Equitix, Graham and Derwent FM, has submitted seven higher-risk buildings (HRBs) to the BSR, with approvals now secured for two of these.

The two approved buildings each comprise 14 storeys, with one providing 205 beds and the other 207 beds.

In all, the redevelopment of the university’s 24-acre Fallowfield campus will deliver 3,300 student bedspaces, along with 48,000 sq ft of ancillary development. The outcome will be a net increase of 900 beds at the campus, which in turn sits within Manchester’s student heartland.

Planning consent was secured last September, but following the introduction of tighter regulation for high-rise buildings, further legwork is now required for such large-scale projects.

With Gateway 2 approval in place, structural works on the two buildings will start this month. The consortium expects to receive BSR verdicts on the remaining five HRBs within the next two months.

Natalia Maximova, partner at scheme architect Sheppard Robson, said: “The focus of the Gateway 2 review was technical compliance, requiring a high level of co-ordination and design quality throughout the proposal.

“Key design decisions, such as the adoption of a precast cross-wall system and the extended use of concrete, added inherent fire safety properties to the scheme and simplified façade co-ordination. This has been a learning process for all participants and required full commitment from everyone. Well done to the project team.”

The timeframe between securing planning approval to the first BSR approvals took 15 weeks, the team said.

The campus redevelopment will see a comprehensive overhaul for the previous sites of Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall, alongside amenity spaces and extensive green infrastructure.

Sheppard Robson’s designs are intended to create five distinct neighbourhoods. The scheme is targeting Passivhaus certification – should this be achieved, it could become the largest certified Passivhaus project in Europe.

Neil McFarlane, Graham project director for the Fallowfield Campus, said: “Securing Gateway 2 approval for the first two HRBs is a significant milestone for the Fallowfield Campus project and testament to the collaborative approach taken by the whole team.

“With structural works now able to commence on these two buildings, and further approvals expected in the coming months, we are making strong progress towards delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable student accommodation for Manchester.”

Ben Leech, managing director, investments at Equitix, said: “We’re delighted that the Fallowfield Campus student accommodation project has reached this important stage.

“This is a key step forward for the University of Manchester in delivering modern, high-quality living spaces that ensure a safe, comfortable, and sustainable student experience for years to come. Equitix is proud to work closely with the university and our partners at GRAHAM throughout planning and construction to bring this vision to life.”