Unite Students secures planning approval for redevelopment of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Cambridge Halls

• Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University have been granted planning permission to develop 2,302 beds at the university’s Cambridge Halls site
• The £390 million development will provide much needed, high-quality and affordable student accommodation in Manchester
• Demolition of the old 770-bed building will commence in early 2026 with the first phase of the development to be completed in time for the start of the 2029/30 academic year

Unite Students and Manchester Metropolitan University have been granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the university’s Cambridge Halls student accommodation.

The approved plans, which have been designed with feedback from the local community and key stakeholders, form part of a joint venture between the UK’s largest student accommodation provider and the university to develop 2,302 purpose-built bedrooms.

The £390 million development will help Manchester Metropolitan University to tackle a shortage of student accommodation in the city.

The property will offer a variety of room types including dorm style, cluster flats and studios, catering for students differing needs and budgets. Students will also enjoy high-quality amenity spaces, such as a rooftop exercise area, sports pitches and an allotment.

The development of Cambridge Halls will see Manchester Met continue to deliver on its commitment to providing an outstanding student experience, which is already evidenced through the university’s Gold ranking in the Teaching Excellence Framework and the latest National Student Survey (NSS) results where the university is ranked 7th in England for student experience.

In addition to improving the supply and quality of Manchester Met’s on-campus accommodation, the redeveloped Cambridge Halls site will provide new spaces for community use along Cambridge Street.

The scheme will also include shared access for pedestrians and cyclists through the middle of the site, as well as enhanced landscaping and public spaces.

Unite Students will act as developer, asset manager and operator of Cambridge Halls, enabling Manchester Met to continue its focus on delivering an outstanding student experience and outcomes.

Simon Jones, Group Higher Education Director, at Unite Students, said: “This is an exciting step forward for our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver next-generation student living in the heart of the city.

“We’re coming together to create a new development that will sit proudly within the All Saints campus, help tackle Manchester’s shortage of student housing and enable the university to focus on student experience and academic excellence.”

Andrew Fallon, Chief Property Officer, Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The planning approval to redevelop Cambridge Halls marks an important milestone in our commitment to providing a truly modern campus here in the city centre for our students, colleagues and the community.

“As well as providing much needed additional purpose-built student accommodation in Manchester, right on the doorstep of our university, the development will benefit the surrounding community through new health, wellbeing, and retail offerings.”

Demolition of the old 770-bed building will commence in early 2026 with phase 1 of construction (1,101 beds) to be completed in time for the start of the 2029/30 academic year and phase 2 (1,201) by 2030/31.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact Unite Students press office on 0117 4506300 or email: press.office@unitestudents.com

About Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest owner, manager, and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

With more than 150 properties in 23 leading university towns and cities, Unite Students is home to around 70,000 students, living predominantly in en-suite study bedrooms with rents covering bills, insurance, and 24-hour security.

Driven by a common purpose: to provide a ‘Home for Success’ to live, work and invest, Unite Students is committed to raising standards in the student accommodation sector with the support of over 60 university partners.

Founded in 1991 in Bristol, the Unite Group is an award-winning Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit Unite Group’s corporate website www.unitegroup.com or the Unite Students’ site www.unitestudents.com.

About Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University is making an impact on Manchester, the UK and beyond, with a driving ambition to discover and disseminate knowledge, and make higher education accessible and beneficial to all those with the passion and ability to succeed.

The University, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024, is home to 43,000 students with an alumni network of more than 340,000 graduates.

90% of its research is rated as ‘internationally excellent’ and it has been rated in the top five most sustainable universities in the UK for the past 12 years.

[TB1]To be amended accordingly.