A major government office campus, which will be home for 7000 civil servants, has been green-lit in Manchester.
The Manchester Digital Campus will be 900,000sq ft of office space, built on the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats.
Described as a “state-of-the-art hub” it will bring together a number of Civil Service departments, with a focus on digital skills and the aim of creating significant employment opportunities and economic benefits in the region.
“We are delighted with the decision and are grateful for the support of the many stakeholders in Manchester,” said Mark Bourgeois, CEO at the GPA (Government Property Agency).
“The GPA team is proud to be working on this exciting project in support of the Government’s growth mission.”
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The GPA has been working with Manchester City Council on the plans for Ancoats, which has led to a parallel proposal for the digital campus and an adjacent public park.
The park space has been designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE following public consultation.
“Gaining planning approval for both the GPA’s digital campus and the latest city centre park is the launchpad for the transformation of this site,” added Bev Craig, Leader of the Council.
“Our ambition has long been to bring the former retail park back into active use and working in partnership with the GPA we are delivering a quality, low carbon development that will bring 7,000 civil service jobs to Manchester in the coming years.
“The new digital campus plays to Manchester’s strengths. We have fostered one of the fastest growing tech and digital communities in the UK, with a growing international reputation. The transformation of this brownfield site supports our ongoing growth in the sector, which translates into quality employment and development opportunities for our residents.”
