The report of the Strategic Director (Development) is now enclosed.

The Science Park was formed by the City Council and the Victoria University of Manchester in 1978 to capture benefits that could be gained through the creativity and knowledge available at the universities. The first building was completed in 1984 followed by a second in 1989. Since then it had expended and developed and was now home to a range of domestic and international companies operating in a range ofbusiness sectors. In March 2014 we had welcomed the preparation of a draft Regeneration Framework for Manchester Science Park (MSP) and asked the Chief Executive to undertake a public consultation exercise on that draft (Minute Exe/14/032). In September 2014 we had considered the responses to those consultations and approved the adoption of the Framework as a material planning consideration for new development proposals within the Park.

A report was now submitted by the Strategic Director (Development) to introduce proposals for revisions the 2014 Framework. This purpose of this new draft Framework was to set out a refreshed strategy which recognised that there was increasing pressure for additional floorspace to support the growth in science-based economic activity. It was explained that there needed to be an ambitious expansion of MSP in order to ensure that the unique opportunity to capture this activity was not lost. The draft Framework set out the importance of the MSP as one of a limited number of sites in close proximity to the universities and hospital.

The new draft proposed an initial phase of development from 2019 to 2021 that would result in:

·         an extension to the existing Greenheys’ building, to provide circa 60,000 sq. ft. of commercial floor space;

·         a new 5 / 6 storey building located adjacent to the Greenheys’ building, providing circa 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible commercial floor space and facilities for collaborative working on the site currently occupied by the BASE Building; and

·         public realm improvements facilitated by the closure of the northern end of Pencroft Way, which would enable the provision of new and enhanced areas of public realm within MSP.

It was forecast that this development of an additional 160,000 sq. ft. at MSP was expected to deliver up to 1,300 FTE jobs.

Further phases of the development were likely to include:

·         flexible commercial laboratory and workspace, with a range of floorplates;

·         a multi storey car park located off Charles Halle Road;

·         Pavilion Building located within the heart of the park, providing additional food and beverage amenity for customers and local residents;

·         infrastructure and public realm; including new public spaces, servicing facilities and cycle parking; and

·         purpose-built student accommodation on the vacant McDougall Centre site. The site has the capacity to accommodate buildings of between 6 and 10 storeys.

It was explained that the intention was for there to be a period of public consultation on the proposals in the draft Framework.

We supported the proposals described in the report and agreed that they would help to drive forward the city’s competitive offer as a principal destination for inward investment and employment in key growth sectors, and contribute substantially to the further expansion and diversification of the city’s economic base.

Decisions

1.         To endorse in principle the updated regeneration framework for Manchester Science Park.

2.         To request the Strategic Director undertake a public consultation exercise on the framework with local stakeholders and report on the outcome of the consultation.