Plans have been submitted for a residential development in Didsbury, which include a new primary school and the preservation of an historic playing field.

The proposals are the continuation of a successful partnership between Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to develop their surplus asset sites.

A report is now die to go before the Council's Executive that will outline a draft regeneration framework for MMU's Didsbury Campus estate in the south of the city.

If it is approved, it would allow for a public consultation to be held in the autumn.

The site could potentially increase the number of executive homes in South Manchester, thereby contributing to the long-term economic growth of the city and residential growth ambitions – as seen in the city council's Residential Growth Prospectus, which sets out the city's specific housing requirement in terms of mixed cost, size and tenure properties in different areas.


The land also provides the opportunity to develop larger homes, expanding the city's housing stock and tax base that will encourage people to settle and remain in Manchester who might otherwise choose to commute from outlying areas.

The Council has said future residential development will increase demand for school places in the Didsbury area and the campus will also be considered for educational purposes – in particular, a site for a new primary school. The campus currently spans almost 17 acres and comprises of one Grade II listed property, as well as a number of Grade II listed buildings, Broomhurst Hall and the Simon Playing Fields, which would all remain untouched as part of the plans.

Councillor Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester's success means we desperately need thousands of new homes of every type and size and we are working with a variety of partners to development suitable sites across the city.

"These exciting plans represent the next phase of a long-standing relationship between the city council and Manchester Metropolitan University - plans which we hope Didsbury, the University and the city has a whole can all benefit from - making a lasting contribution to our growth ambitions and leaving a lasting positive legacy."

Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University added: "Our move to fantastic new facilities at Birley Fields in Hulme in September 2014 brings down the curtain on our long-association with Didsbury but opens up new opportunities for the city and the community in the shape of this draft framework."

(JP/MH)