Strategy for former BBC site to be considered

A strategic regeneration framework for the former BBC site in Oxford Road, Manchester, will be considered by the executive committee of Manchester City Council tomorrow.

A draft framework document produced for Manchester City Council by Deloitte Real Estate is described as a guide for "future development of the former BBC site and adjoining land at Oxford Road in Manchester".

If the draft framework is endorsed by the executive, it will be subject to public consultation.

Realty Estates beat Bruntwood, the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund and Downing to the former BBC site on Manchester's Oxford Road in 2011.

The company, which is owned by Yousef Tishbi, announced plans for a mixed-use scheme for 800,000 sq ft of commercial and residential accommodation in June 2012 and demolished the landmark BBC buildings.

However, the site is currently in use as a temporary car park.

It has been reported that Realty and Manchester City Council are yet to agree on the most appropriate use for the site, a key component of the Corridor approach into Manchester city centre.

The Deloitte document outlines appropriate uses for the site including office accommodation, cultural facilities and public spaces, student accommodation, a hotel, a small format retail outlet and high quality residential accommodation.

It is suggested that the scale of the site would require staged development to take place over the next 10 to 15 years.

The site covers 10 acres and could lead to the creation of up to 6,000 jobs.

The vision for the study area states that it should: "create a high quality, commercially-led mixed use development which maximises the site's employment generation in a manner that contributes to the city's knowledge economy and in doing so leverages the site's location within the Corridor, proximity to major institutions and exceptional accessibility by a range of means of transport.

"In order to support this principal use of the site, its redevelopment must create an environment that is sustainable, distinctive, vibrant, incorporates well-designed and managed public realm/ civic spaces, and which is fully integrated into the wider neighbourhood."