Residences programme feedback
The results of our consultation with local residents and groups prior to submitting an outline planning application to µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp City Council.
In June 2023, we carried out our pre-application consultation on the outline proposals for the redevelopment of the Fallowfield Campus.
Community engagement
Our engagement with the community included:
- 3,313 local addresses received a consultation leaflet in the Fallowfield, Rusholme and Withington areas.
- More than 100 leaflets were issued to stakeholder groups in the area including local resident groups and interest groups via µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Student Homes’ network and through local meetings.
- A total of 1,679 unique users, generating a total of 1,941 page views visited the dedicated project website.
- Staff and students at the University were notified about the consultation via the University intranet and newsletter.
- Social media advertising hosted on University channels to drive awareness of the consultation. The social media posts promoting the consultation reached 4,776 Twitter users, achieving 255 total engagements and on Facebook, 1,011 Facebook users were reached with 60 different types of engagements (likes/reposts).
- Local media coverage of the project in the µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Evening News and property/ planning trade media outlets such as Place North West.
To ensure all groups had the opportunity to view and comment on the proposed plans, a number of ways to feedback were created, including:
- An in-person drop-in, consultation event for members of the public to come and ask questions of the project team on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at Uttley House on the Fallowfield Campus.
- A virtual webinar hosted by the project team on Thursday, 15 June 2023 between 6pm–7pm. You can view the recording on this web page.
- A dedicated project consultation webpage on the University’s website, a freephone telephone number, direct email address and a digital feedback form to submit feedback to the project team.
- The option to request printed consultation materials if required.
- Meetings were also held with local ward councillors.
Through the various methods of engagement, there were 149 expressions of feedback collected.
Support came in the following themes:
- Several respondents said they were pleased to see investment in the campus being brought forward, particularly given the µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp rental market is under pressure.
- Recognition that the redevelopment would improve the student experience through providing modern, high-quality bedspaces.
- Both students and residents welcomed the University's aim to provide additional amenities along with the student bedspaces.
- Several respondents commented positively on the site’s permeability and the proposals for ‘green infrastructure’ such as enhanced pedestrian and cycling links.
- There were comments from previous student residents that supported the demolition and replacement of the existing accommodation.
Questions and answers arising from the consultation
There were a number of themes that arose which we are responding to here.
Fallowfield is an extremely popular location for students. In 2021/22, nearly 43% of applicants for University accommodation expressed a first preference for a room within Fallowfield. Unsworth Park (part of the Fallowfield Campus) was the most popular location selected by applications, with more than three applicants for every room.
Our residential offer includes the 'Accommodation Guarantee'. This means that all students are guaranteed the offer of accommodation in a University managed hall of residence for their first year of study and all international students are guaranteed an offer of University accommodation for the duration of their studies.
An increasing proportion of applicants for university accommodation are from returning students (2nd year onwards). An increase in supply would enable us to consider offering accommodation to returning students who are often otherwise reliant on the mainstream housing market and houses of multiple occupation (HMO) given the under-provision of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in the city generally.
The exact provision for community use of the site is not established at this point in the planning process but may be considered subsequently.
The next stage of the design would also consider policies and guidance such as µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp City Council’s Age Friendly µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Equality Impact Assessment Guidance.
If the University is to effectively fulfil its obligations under the Accommodation Guarantee and support a reduced reliance on the HMO housing to accommodate students, there is a need to focus efforts on the Fallowfield campus where additional provision can have the greatest effect, given its popularity.
Furthermore, Fallowfield is an existing, successful campus. It provides a critical mass of occupation in a single location such that various ancillary and support services can be viably provided and administered on-site, in a safe setting where a sense of community can develop with students living amongst their peers.
The current application is an 'Outline Planning Application' and therefore the details of the bedroom layouts, design of the amenity and communal spaces in the building are not yet decided.
The outline planning application sets a flexible framework or set of parameters which includes the potential height of buildings and location of key access points, which support the future redevelopment of the site by a delivery partner. Any future redevelopment is driven by a vision to create en-suite bedrooms in cluster flats that would provide a feeling of community for the students, with a shared kitchen and living space to encourage socialising and integration.
A range of student hubs, amenity spaces and places will be provided to support placemaking and meet the needs of students across the entire Fallowfield Campus.
It is envisaged the amenities will include a variety of facilities, such as areas for socialising and learning, flexible multi-purpose spaces, game areas, meeting and interview rooms, supporting staff offices/facilities, postal rooms, and laundrettes to ensure students on campus can remain self-sufficient.
The illustrative masterplan is not proposing a detailed design solution at this stage and therefore the location of the frontage onto Wilmslow Road is not fixed. The principle of ensuring passive surveillance of the site and proposals to improve and enhance access to the campus from Wilmslow Road is integrated into the illustrative proposals.
The demolition work taking place on-site will not be complex and will be undertaken in phases to minimise the impact on surrounding residents. Any construction works on the wider site will be carefully managed through the demolition and construction management plans, which will be developed further as works progress.
We intend to deliver the redevelopment proposal in a phased manner through a development partner form of procurement and will enter into a process of a securing development partner in due course. As part of this process, the buildings on Owens Park and Oak House will be demolished to accommodate the proposed development. Woolton Hall will be retained as a student hall with its likely eventual demolition and redevelopment as part of a later phase of works. This will be further clarified once a delivery partner is on board to take forward the delivery of the redevelopment.
We have undertaken a feasibility study, led by Rider Levett Bucknall, which looked at the redevelopment of the Fallowfield Campus. The feasibility study was undertaken by an expert team and considered the potential for redevelopment of the existing student accommodation on the campus.
Taking into account site visits, adaptability and condition of the existing buildings, and past studies carried out by the University, demolition of the existing buildings represented the best option available to achieve a student experience aligned with both our sustainability aspirations and students’ expectations.
The existing buildings were deemed incapable of being adapted to cater for modern-day student accommodation.
The site also contains several references to its past, such as the iron gates at the entrance to Woolton Hall. The retention or relocation of key features, such as the Woolton Hall gates, should be considered as a part of the new development. As a result of these features, the site has many positive associations for existing and past students. These characteristics must be maintained wherever possible and improved by the new development and enhance the current architectural and landscape value of the site. Trees and memorial benches currently on the site are being listed on a schedule and will be available for the team to consider and repurpose as part of the illustrative masterplan for the site.
The Cosmos panels are a lightweight fibreglass art installation by Mitzi Cunliffe affixed to the base of Owen’s Park Tower. Our commitment is to carefully remove and safely store these with a potential for a creative reuse of the panels within the new development.
Squirrels Bar is located on the Fallowfield Campus and will therefore be demolished as part of the proposals. This is an outline planning application so details of individual facilities to be brought forward have not been determined at this stage. However, our team will be providing amenity space and facilities for students on the redeveloped campus.
The illustrative proposals seek to protect trees and preserve and enhance the green character of the campus as far as possible through the development proposals. The illustrative masterplan applies the following principles around the retention of trees around the campus:
- A presumption that all trees should be retained where possible (supporting the University’s Tree Plan and Policy)
- Should individual trees be felled for development purposes, three new trees must be planted for each tree that is felled (supporting µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp City Council's planning policy).
The principles of the illustrative masterplan propose retention and improvement of cycle and pedestrian connections through the site. Given the existing cycle infrastructure linking the Fallowfield campus to the main city centre campus and the proposed cycle parking on the site, it is expected that cyclists will be adequately accommodated on the local cycle network.
The scheme will follow a number of design principles including providing safe and accessible cycle storage. Appropriate levels of cycle storage provision will be provided by the new development.
The University’s Travel Plan will look to encourage sustainable modes of travel and the infrastructure required. Given the site’s proximity to a number of frequent bus services along the Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road corridor, alongside dedicated cycle routes, this will facilitate ease of movement between the wider University campus and the city centre. As the proposed redevelopment is largely car-free, there will be no greater pressure on the local road network.
The principles of the illustrative masterplan propose retention and improvement of cycle and pedestrian connections through the site. Given the existing cycle infrastructure linking the Fallowfield Campus to the main city centre campus and the proposed cycle parking on the site, it is expected that cyclists will be adequately accommodated on the local cycle network.
The scheme will follow a number of design principles including providing safe and accessible cycle storage. Appropriate levels of cycle storage provision will be provided by the new development.
The University’s Travel Plan will look to encourage sustainable modes of travel and the infrastructure required. Given the site’s proximity to a number of frequent bus services along the Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road corridor, alongside dedicated cycle routes, this will facilitate ease of movement between the wider University campus and the city centre. As the proposed redevelopment is largely car-free, there will be no greater pressure on the local road network.
Our students make a positive contribution to life in µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp and to the global competitiveness of our city and many of them generously give up their time to volunteer in the local community.
We are aware that from time to time there are issues and we continuously work closely with local authorities and residents to stop problems arising, and deal with any issues that do crop up.
On campus, the designated Residential Life (Res Life) and Security Team support all students within University-owned accommodation and are available to handle enquiries 24/7.
Outside of the campus, µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Student Homes (MSH) – a housing service funded by the local universities and colleges – works in the community to support students and engages regularly with local residents and community groups. Residents can contact MSH (to flag any issues with students living on or off campus by email, phone or in person at the office in the University of µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Students’ Union building).
MSH works as part of the µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp Student Partnership to tackle off-campus behaviour issues. This includes educational interventions as well as following a process to escalate issues to the University of µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp’s Conduct and Discipline Team. MSH also attends local residents’ association meetings when requested and the Good Neighbours Team are regular attendees at the Fallowfield Community Guardians meetings.
The University will continue to offer a diverse range of accommodation types and rents. We are producing an affordability strategy that will look to address the number of lower-cost bedrooms to be provided. This will follow an approach which seeks to maintain the following:
- A diverse range of types of accommodation and price points.
- Reasonable rents that do not place the University outside the range of sector comparisons.
- A competitive position compared to local private providers.
- The ability to offer cheaper accommodation to students in financial hardship. For example, the University is considering a bursary scheme to provide direct assistance to those who struggle to afford the accommodation to ensure the cost of accommodation is not a barrier to University attendance.
The annual rent-setting process wherever possible maintains the University’s reasonable position compared to the higher education sector and local private accommodation providers. Tiered rents have been introduced within the en-suite provision across University accommodation. The new bedrooms will be offered at a number of different rent levels reflecting room sizes and so on, to enable a wider choice for students.
We understand that the cost-of-living situation is having an effect on students, and many of them are worried or in difficulty.
There are a number of resources and financial support available to help students during their studies.
Our Residential Life team and the Students’ Union Advice Service are available to provide help and guidance to all students. Our Cost of Living Support Fund is open all year long. It is non-repayable and can help students overcome food insecurity, support them with utility bills, and address any other issues arising from financial hardship. The Student Support and Advice team is also available and is responsible for helping students manage their money and budgeting.
There is a dedicated hub for cost of living support on our .
There are several opportunities for the local community to provide their feedback on the application. The community consultation that has taken place to support this application has been led by The University of µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp to listen to and consider views on the vision and principles for redevelopment.
All feedback submitted through the consultation process has been considered by the project team. Once the application is submitted there will be further opportunity for feedback to µÎµÎ´òÅÚapp City Council. The feedback is a consideration in the Council’s own decision-making process, whereby the Council would look to satisfactorily mitigate any objections through negotiation or dealt with through planning conditions. Any objections that are unable to be overcome would be weighed in the planning balance when determining the application.