Plans have been submitted to build a 33-storey student accommodation block in Manchester’s City Centre.
The block would have 861 rooms and would be built on the corner of Hulme Street and Medlock Street, a short commute away from both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
The rooms would resemble studio flats, each one with a kitchenette, an en-suite bathroom and a study desk.
Larger rooms would have a washer, dryer and living room space, with 43 of the rooms expected to be wheelchair accessible.
This student block would also contain several spaces to socialise, group study rooms and three gyms. Safety mechanisms, such as 24-hour security presence and CCTV cameras would also be included.
Manchester Metropolitan University has issued a letter of support in relation to the application, stating that Vita Group, the planning applicant, has an “excellent approach to student wellbeing and pastoral care”.
Vita Group already operate two student accommodation blocks in the city already, with their largest block being in Circle Square, and their smaller option being on Jack Rosenthal Street, in the First Street development.
The prices for these accommodation blocks start at £325 p/w and £330 p/w, respectively.
The planning application has not yet received any objections.
Original plans submitted by the developer featured 750 rooms, however, an updated plan now shows an additional 119 beds.
This student accommodation block is one of many in the First Street area, which has become one of Manchester’s fastest-growing student clusters.
Within the area, Student Roost has also submitted plans for a block with 1,000 beds, and Manner has received planning approval for a block with 600 beds.
Other applications for student accommodation developments have been submitted across Manchester, including the approval of plans proposing the redevelopment of the Fallowfield campus.
In the academic year 2022/23, there were nearly 86,845 enrolments across the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and The Royal Northern College of Music, an increase of 12,000 since 2016/17.
