Manchester City Council has signed off reserved matters planning for the huge redevelopment, paving the way for work to start on site in early 2026.

The scheme, driven by a consortium of Equitix, Graham and Derwent FM, will deliver up to 3,300 student homes across Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall.

A phased handover is planned between 2026 and 2030 to keep pace with student demand.

Neil McFarlane, project director at Graham, said that enabling works were already moving, with the main build set to be one of the UK’s largest Passivhaus-certified developments.

The redevelopment will carve the campus into five distinct neighbourhoods, each taking cues from Manchester’s cultural, sporting and musical heritage. New green spaces, a car-free environment and a focus on biodiversity will anchor the design, alongside communal hubs and study areas aimed at tackling student isolation.

Architect Sheppard Robson designed the student accommodation campus