A planning application is to be submitted this summer for developments which will mark the first phase of the £1.1bn Mayfield project in Manchester city centre, widely regarded as one of the most important regeneration opportunities in the city for a generation.
The majority of the 30-acre site, which includes the landmark Mayfield station building on Fairfield Street and depot next to Piccadilly Station, has been under-utilised for 30 years.
The first tranche of development, subject to consent, will include a 6.5 acre managed public park centred around the River Medlock, which runs through the site. This will become a significant managed open space for the public in the city centre and the city’s first park in a century. Additional areas of managed public realm will complement the park and the regenerated river bank.
Also included in this first phase planning application is an eight-storey commercial office development of 90,000 sq ft and a c.550-space multi-storey car park on Baring Street.
The application will be preceded by a period of community consultation which take place in May on site at Mayfield and also in Ardwick and Manchester city centre. Details are included below.
The Mayfield Partnership, which comprises LCR the UK Government’s placemaking expert, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and regeneration specialist U+I, is staging a public consultation into its proposals in May with a view to applying for planning permission in early summer.
The Mayfield Partnership’s long-term plan is to create an iconic, £1.1bn mixed-use community over the next 10 years. This includes the 6.5 acre park, world-class office space, homes and leisure facilities alongside further extensive public realm.
The wider Mayfield regeneration vision will potentially provide 1,500 homes, 75,000 sq m of office space, a 650-bedroom hotel, retail and leisure space. It is envisaged Mayfield will create more than over 7,500 office, retail, leisure and construction jobs.
Architect Studio Egret West is the master-planner for the Mayfield Park and Bennetts Associates is the architect of the commercial development. Deloitte Real Estate is the planning consultant. Subject to consent, work would commence later this year.
Adrian Lee, Development Director at LCR, said: “Mayfield will be an exemplar of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors come together to combine their skills, assets and expertise: a truly distinctive place which will deliver commercial and social value in equal measure and a magnet for enterprising and creative people and organisations.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Mayfield represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an almost entirely new district in the city centre. We’re confident that the quality of the design and architecture, aligned with the unique park we are creating, will help us attract international businesses seeking the best possible environment for their employees.”
Richard Upton, Deputy Chief Executive at U+I, said: “At the heart of our vision is the creation of a world class and socially inclusive neighbourhood which will attract businesses, residents and visitors, all drawn by the quality and vibrancy of the environment we are creating.
“We look forward to sharing our detailed proposals with the people of Manchester in May this year and I know from the conversations I have had with many people over the last two years there is a great deal of excitement about what Mayfield will deliver for our city.”
