Alderley Park targets bio-science occupiers

Manchester Sciences Partnerships, a public-private consortium led by Bruntwood, has submitted an outline planning application to Cheshire East Council for the redevelopment of the 400-acre Alderley Park, into “a world-class life science facility”.

Manchester Science Partnerships acquired Alderley Park, formerly occupied by AstraZeneca, in March 2014. Cheshire East Council took a 10% stake in the site.

The planning application proposes 400,000 sq ft of office and labs for life science occupiers in addition to more than 1m sq ft of space which is already in existence on the site. MSP said that in time it was targeting up to 7,000 jobs within the park.

The plans include up to 275 new homes, some of which may be retirement homes. The housing will help to generate the necessary investment required for the science campus.

Alongside homes a village hub will offer complementary uses such as a shop, gastro-pub and hotel.

As part of the proposals sport and recreation facilities will be open to the public for the first time. The local community will be able to use the existing footpaths, woodland and heritage parkland, which will create links to the surrounding public footpath and bridleway network through National Trust land around Alderley Edge.

Earlier this year Cheshire East Council approved a framework and masterplan for Alderley Park which established planning principles for bring forward development on the site.

The planning application was submitted on behalf of Bruntwood/MSP by Manchester-based planning consultants HOW Planning. The science campus was designed by BDP Architects, with the south campus vision created by Altrincham-based Planit IE. Vectos provided advice on highways and transport, while stakeholder and community engagement firm, Resolve Public Affairs assisted MSP through the consultation with the local community.

Rowena Burns, chief executive of MSP, said: “The planning application which has now been submitted would see the creation of a long-term internationally important bio-science campus, adapting the facilities at Alderley Park to accommodate a community of large and small, regional, national and international life science companies.

“From the public consultations that we have held, it is clear that Alderley Park has played an important role in many people’s lives over the years and we have had a lot of interest in the proposals. It is encouraging that the response the proposals have received from the local community has been very positive. People want to see a successful future for Alderley Park, which builds on its achievements and international reputation. Also, as a facility it is the case that neighbours are pleased to see the park being opened up for local people to enjoy the sport and recreation facilities, along with the existing footpaths and routes through the site.”

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.