Manchester Metropolitan University students and staff say they have been ‘caught off guard’ by plans to demolish an ‘iconic’ accommodation block.
The university has submitted plans to demolish its “iconic” Cambridge Halls accommodation blocks on its All Saints Campus, with students and staff claiming they were unaware of the proposed changes.
The plans involve replacing the 770-bed two four storey blocks and replacing them with a much denser housing plan set to deliver around 2,330 new homes across various buildings, including two towers of 30 and 24 storeys, to make up for a lack of available accommodation.
The Cambridge accommodation blocks are considered to be a “rite of passage” where students live in clusters of ten and often meet their best friends in the courtyard.
Cambridge Hall residents and staff have expressed their concerns about the lack of communication from the University regarding the proposed demolition.
Kyle, a resident of Cambridge Halls said: “It’s not great; I only found out two minutes ago. I don’t know where students will be able to live while we wait either.”
Staff working in the accommodation blocks were also “shocked and confused” when hearing the news, saying they were unaware of any changes in their place of work.
The proposed plans from the university aim to address a shortage of accommodation for its growing student population.
It is estimated that MMU requires around 5,700 beds annually to meet its demands. It currently only owns around 2,500.
The new scheme is to include both studio and cluster apartments, aiming to bring more students into the city centre and ease pressure on the private sector.
A spokesperson for Manchester Metropolitan University said: “The development of Cambridge Halls will provide a higher quality and quantity of student accommodation in Manchester. The new development will also provide improved access and services to the surrounding community as well as new health and wellbeing space and retail offers.
“The proposed timeline for the development is subject to receiving planning permission by Manchester City Council and full details, including upcoming consultation events and opportunities for the community to have their say, are available on the dedicated website newcambridgehalls.co.uk.”
A public consultation has been running from yesterday (29 February) until Wednesday 19 February.
A live public webinar will also be held on Thursday 6 February at 6pm and a public drop-in event at the Students’ Union, Higher Cambridge Street on Wednesday 12 February between 3pm-7pm.