Plans for a major boost to active travel facilities in Manchester, through the creation of the city’s biggest cycle hub at the Mayfield project by LandsecU+I, have been approved by Manchester City Council.
Work on the new transport hub, which features space for 400 bikes, is now expected to start in the coming months as the Mayfield Partnership accelerates the delivery of the first phase of development.
The newly-approved plans include 320,000 sq ft of office space across two new buildings; The Poulton, designed by Bennetts Associates and The Republic, designed by Morris+Company. The new offices will be targeting 600kg CO2 per m2 of embodied carbon, around 40% less than traditional offices.
Laura Percy, Development Director at LandsecU+I, said: “We are thrilled that our updated plans for a future-facing, greener first phase of Mayfield have been approved, and we can’t wait to start work.
“Since opening just a year ago Mayfield Park has set a very high standard, so it was sensible for us to ensure the original plans, which were brought forward before the pandemic, are right for the world today and will meet the highest standards.
“Manchester is an evolving, ambitious and progressive city and we are determined that Mayfield should be the ‘go-to’ location for businesses looking for brilliant connectivity and access to nature with stunning views across the park, ecology, biodiversity and peaceful green space on their doorsteps.”
The planned transport hub will feature a series of attractive brick arches, which mirror the historic railway arches at Mayfield Depot, with a full food and drink and entertainment offering on the ground floor. The plans also include an additional 3-acres of public space.
The transport hub will feature fewer car parking spaces with additional electric vehicle charging points. It includes the flexibility to increase the provision of EV charging to 50%, add additional bicycle parking or to adapt to a complete change of use in the future.
The three buildings were originally granted unanimous planning consent in 2020 by Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee but have been refined to reflect the social and cultural changes brought about by the pandemic.
