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

In June 2017 we had endorsed in principle the draft Strategic Spatial Framework for the Oxford Road Corridor and requested that the Chief Executive undertake public consultation on the draft (Minute Exe/17/082). In March 2018 we had considered the outcome of the consultations that had been undertaken and had endorsed and approved the principles in the Corridor Manchester Strategic Spatial Framework (Minute Exe/18/030).

The Strategic Director (Development) now submitted a further report that sought approval for public consultation on a new Strategic Regeneration Framework Guidance (SRFG) for the Oxford Road Corridor area.  The purpose of this draft framework was to help to guide the development of four specific sites in a consistent way that recognised the Oxford Road Corridor’s physical and locational characteristics.

The report explained that this proposed SRFG was being brought forward by the Oxford Road Corridor Partners in relation to four development sites that were part of the overall Oxford Road Corridor Strategy: Upper Brook Street; the Former Elizabeth Gaskell Campus; Wilmott Street (the former Salvation Army site); and Birchall Way. The report set out a description of the development proposals for each of these site.

The Upper Brook Street (UBS) site was identified within the Oxford Road Corridor Strategic Spatial Framework as a “future development opportunity”, with scope for increased density, providing mixed commercial uses. The site is adjacent to an area of the University of Manchester estate identified as a Science, Research and Innovation cluster (including the National Graphene Institute and Sir Henry Royce Institute) and the North Campus development area.

The former Elizabeth Gaskell Campus site was identified within the Oxford Road Corridor Strategic Spatial Framework as a “Transformational Strategic Investment Site” and part of the existing and emerging cluster of Health, Innovation and Well-being, including at Citylabs.  It is located immediately adjacent to the existing Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, at the southern edge of the Oxford Road Corridor.

The Willmott Street (former Salvation Army) site was identified within the Oxford Road Corridor Strategic Spatial Framework as a “Transformational Strategic Investment Site”. It is part of an existing and emerging cluster of creative, cultural and mixed- use development within the First Street regeneration area.

The Birchall Way site was identified in the Oxford Road Corridor Strategic Spatial Framework as a “future development opportunity”, and part of an existing and emerging cluster of education uses, including health education and student living. The site is located in Hulme ward, adjacent to Princess Road and is a key route between Manchester Metropolitan University’s Oxford Road Estate and the Birley Fields Campus.

The intention was to consult on the proposed Strategic Regeneration Framework Guidance so that it could, in the future, provide site-specific urban design, place-making and development principles, and planning guidance, to enable positive regeneration of these sites. That was agreed.

Decisions

1.         To endorse in principle the Strategic Regeneration Framework Guidance for the Oxford Road Corridor area.

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.