Manchester Science Park moves into next Construction Stage

Manchester City Council has approved the next construction phase for Manchester Science Park’s masterplan which includes Bruntwood SciTech’s delivery of a £60m redevelopment of the Park’s existing Greenheys building into 131,000 sq ft of highly specialist world-class lab space. This project is the third phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s masterplan to grow the science and technology hub to 1m sq ft. Expected to open in Spring 2026, it follows the completion of its neighbouring building Base, which opened in July 2022 as a new tech hub for the campus. With planning approved, enabling works are due to commence later this summer. 

Based in the heart of Manchester's Oxford Road Corridor innovation district, Greenheys will be transformed into a six-storey purpose-built development designed specifically for scaling life science businesses working in diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine, offering a range of specialist CL2 labs with supporting office space starting from 2,500 sq ft and up to 22,000 sq ft floors. Specialist design features include increased vibration resistance and floor loading, piped gas distribution systems, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems, Local Exhaust Ventilation servicing to facilitate fume cupboard installations, high security access and 100GB superfast connectivity.

The planning approval follows confirmation that UK Biobank – the world’s most significant source of data and biological samples for health research – will move to Greenheys, adding to and complementing the 150 pioneering, fast-growth SMEs and large market-leading businesses already based at the Science Park. UK Biobank was recently awarded £127.6m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support its relocation to a purpose-built facility with larger, faster and more efficient biological sample storage of up to 20 million biological samples donated by UK Biobank’s 500,000 volunteer participants. Alongside UK Biobank there is also 62k sq ft of commercial space available for scaling life science companies. This project is anticipated to create over 2,500 FTE jobs during its construction, operation and in the wider economy as a result of the development.

Manchester Science Park - home to 50% of the city’s life science businesses - is a government-designated High Potential Opportunity Zone for Diagnostics and Early Intervention for Healthy Ageing, and a named Enterprise Zone. The new development is immediately adjacent to the University’s main campus and the UK’s largest NHS Trust - Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which places it within Europe’s largest clinical academic campus. Bruntwood SciTech will thus be able to provide direct access to R&D and funding support, world-class talent, clinical trials opportunities, its UK-wide life science support network and the research and capabilities of The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and MFT.

A food and beverage station, shared breakout space, secure cycle store and gym facilities, meeting rooms and social spaces and the campus’ wider range of facilities including a 180-person event space, roof terrace social space, cafe and pub, studio gym, multiple breakout spaces and meeting rooms are also available along with onsite parking with EV charge points.

Peter Crowther, property director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “We are pleased to have had approval on our plans for the redevelopment of Greenheys which will see it become one of the most advanced and specialist life science spaces in the UK. With UK Biobank already announced to move to the new hub, we know this will be a big draw for scaling life science businesses who are keen to be located in the same building and access opportunities to work together with both them and the neighbouring researchers at The University of Manchester. The new Greenheys will build on the North West’s world-leading cluster of clinical, academic and commercial assets and we look forward to commencing with our enabling works later this summer and construction early next year.”

A local team has been appointed to work with Bruntwood SciTech on the redevelopment of Greenheys, consisting of BDP Architects, planning consultancy from Deloitte, cost consultancy from Walker Sime, DW Consulting for Structures and Civils, and Silcock Leedham for MEP.

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