MMU campus plans set to be delayed
Article published: Saturday, November 28th 2009
Following last week’s news that 127 support staff are to be made redundant – an “efficiency” measure according to Vice Chancellor Professor John Brooks – Manchester Metropolitan University has announced setbacks in plans over its proposed campus developments.
This came by way of the announcement that the Hollings Campus in Fallowfield will not be moving into a new building on Oxford Road by 2014. According to a University spokesperson: “The move of Hollings to All Saints on Oxford Road is on ice because we simply do not have the funding.”
The University is also looking to slash £5 million from the budget of the new £65 million business school.
The project most likely to be affected is the trumpeted “green” campus in Hulme, which will cost the University more than £120 million and is now almost certain to be built in phases. In conjunction with the City Council, MMU had anticipated in their final Birley Fields Campus report in April this year that the new development would generate extra revenue of over £76 million to the Hulme and Moss Side area. In addition this revenue was to supposedly support more than 877 local jobs.
Such local economic benefits were the justification given by the Council for handing the public land over to MMU for free.
For many local residents, who are frustrated by what they see as a lack of meaningful consultation, and feel that the project will not be of great benefit to the area, the news will be cautiously welcomed.
Nigel Woodcock, a member of Our Hulme, said: “This development will be great for MMU but it’ll be a disaster for Hulme, taking its way past tipping point in terms of student numbers.”
“Simply plonking a spanking new campus in the middle of the area doesn’t mean that higher education will be the slightest bit more accessible for most children in Hulme.”
This latest development taken alongside last week’s announcement of 127 job cuts seems to cast a shadow upon MMU management’s desire to improve the student experience.
In addition to stalling developments it is believed that £8 million will need to be shaved off the budget before any new projects can be started. An MMU spokesperson declared that the University will be revisiting costs across all of the estates in the improvement programme.
“Clearly it is only right that we shave back the bricks and mortar budget when people are losing their jobs.”
Adam Faulkner
More: Council, Education, Environment, Local economy, News
Comments
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It’ll still happen eventual unless there is a concerted effort to stop it happening.
Comment by Dave on November 30, 2009 at 7:57 pm
They are likely to only build the stuff that will make them money i.e. the halls of residence.
This will be the worst part of the development for locals there will be a big influx of students to the area. -
As well as being vice chancellor of mmu,Professor John Brooks is also on the north west development board.Conflict of interest?
Comment by mr c.hardy on January 27, 2010 at 11:55 am -
MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL HAVE AGREED TO SIGN OVER THE BIRLEY FIELDS LAND TO THE MMU.THE LAND IS VALUED AT £10 MILLION POUNDS..
Comment by mr c.hardy on February 13, 2010 at 11:13 am -
MMU PLAN TO HAVE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE THE CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT FINNISHED FOR SEPTEMBER 2014!!!!
Comment by mr c.hardy on February 13, 2010 at 11:16 am -
[…] parking. Since MMU’s financial problems became apparent a few months ago the development is now planned to progress in stages. Campaigners fear that this will mean the profitable parts, such as accommodation, will go […]
Pingback by Hulme regeneration update — MULE on February 26, 2010 at 3:47 pm
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