Unite, MMU secure consent for £400m PBSA revamp after access ‘battle’

Manchester City Council voted unanimously to approve plans to redevelop Cambridge Halls at Manchester Metropolitan University’s All Saints campus yesterday.

The £400m proposal was lodged in June and sought permission for 2,300 beds, an increase of more than 1,500 compared to current provision.

The beds would be delivered in towers of 30 and 24 storeys designed by Cartwright Pickard.

Manchester Metropolitan University would be allocated 1,941 beds in the scheme, with the remainder let by Unite. Just over 20% of MMU’s rooms, 413, would be priced at a 15% discount.

The scheme generated 180 objections from locals, however, many were assuaged after the university committed to retain Cavendish Walk as a pedestrian and cycle route.

Hulme ward councillor Lee-ann Igbon said she now supported the scheme but urged the university to engage with residents earlier in future.

“We need a bigger commitment from the university. We don’t want to keep coming into battles when things could have been listened to a lot earlier,” she said.

Following the approval of the plans, Andrew Fallon, chief property officer at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The planning approval to redevelop Cambridge Halls marks an important milestone in our commitment to providing a truly modern campus here in the city centre for our students, colleagues and the community.

“As well as providing much needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our university, the development will benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”

Demolition of the old buildings will commence in early 2026 with construction of the fist 1,100 beds due to complete in time for the start of the 2029/30 academic year. The second phase, comprising 1,200 beds, is scheduled to complete the following year.

The project reference number is 142888/FO/2025.

Turley advised the applicants on planning matters. Re-form has undertaken landscape designs. The project team includes Cumming Group, Waterman Group, Arup, Ashton Fire, and Atkins Realis.