Details of Mayfield ‘Whitehall’ campus unveiled this week

Plans for an office campus on the site of the former Mayfield station, which would bring together civil servants from across Greater Manchester and attract jobs from London, are to be unveiled this week.

Architects Bennetts Associates and consultancy Drivers Jonas are to unveil a strategic regeneration framework which sets out a vision for how the area around Manchester's Piccadilly Station could be transformed into a new home for 5,000 civil service jobs.

The document, expected to go to public consultation in January, focuses on land owned by BRB Residuary, a company owned by the Department of Transport, and covers an area bordered by the inner ring road to the south, Fairfield Street to the north and London Road to the west.

The strategic regeneration framework is part of an ongoing feasibility study, announced by the Regional Minister for the North West in May of establishing a civil service campus on the site in BREEAM outstanding buildings.

The feasibility study, which is looking at the viability of the proposed new civil service campus, is due to report in February.

Key to the masterplan is the creation of a public park, intended to be one of the largest open spaces in Manchester city centre, alongside the River Medlock. It is hoped to bring to life the Mayfield area and open up a new approach to the city.

To maximise the regeneration potential the proposals have also been considered in the context of a wider study area extending from Ardwick to the south, Aytoun Street to the north and Whitworth Street to the west.

John Adams, partner from Drivers Jonas, said: "Mayfield will harness the civil service campus's potential to transform one of the few remaining areas of Manchester city centre that is in significant need of regeneration.

"It will create a new gateway to the city with a world-class public realm and pioneering sustainable buildings delivering Government carbon reduction commitments and Manchester's action plan to become a leading low carbon city by 2020."

Drivers Jonas has acted both as project managers, coordinating the feasibility study, and, as consultants advising on occupational agency, planning and development and strategic consultancy matters.

The masterplan has been prepared in consultation with Office for Government Commerce, Government Office for the North West, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and other stakeholders.

Liz Meek, regional director for Government Office for the North West, added: "The benefits of the proposed civil service campus are clear. We are able to create greater efficiencies by redeveloping Government land at the same time as regenerating an important part of the city centre."

Bennetts Associates was also chosen in May this year to draw up plans. It was part of the team, including independent engineering and environmental consultant Gifford and Wilkinson Eyre Architects, chosen to design the bridge which will link Media City UK on the North Quay in Salford with developments on the South Quay in Trafford, including Imperial War Museum North last October.

The masterplan for new civil service campus on the site of Mayfield station in Manchester, will be unveiled to Manchester City Council this Thursday.