Bruntwood SciTech unveils plans for £60m highly specialist lab space at Manchester Science Park

Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s leading property developer dedicated to the growth of the science and technology sector, is set to invest a further £60m into Manchester Science Park (MSP) and support the creation of over 2,500 jobs, as it unveils plans for an additional 131,000 sq ft of world-class, highly specialist lab space to continue to build on the North West’s world-leading cluster of clinical, academic and commercial life sciences assets, companies and expertise.

The plans, which represent the third phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s masterplan to grow the campus to 1m sq ft following the completion of its purpose-built Industry 4.0 hub Base in July 2022, will see the existing Greenheys site redeveloped into a six-storey purpose-built lab space designed specifically for scaling life science businesses working in diagnostics, genomics, precision medicine and more.

Offering a range of CL2 labs with supporting office space from 2,500 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft floors, the targeted BREEAM Excellent development will embrace the latest innovations in building materials and environmental technology and is expected to achieve net zero carbon in construction and operation in its shared spaces, whilst reducing its embodied carbon. The new building will reduce fossil fuel consumption and be 100% electric, have glare and heat gain reduced through its specially designed ‘solar shading’ facade, and include a green wall wrapped around the first two floors to increase biodiversity and improve air quality. Further energy efficiency will be gained through carefully designed and responsively-controlled Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems used to safely manage the extraction of fumes and particulates from laboratory environments. There will also be a streamlined waste disposal approach for all businesses locating to Greenheys to reduce traffic and transport emissions.

The redevelopment of Greenheys will expand the existing life science cluster at Manchester Science Park, which is one of the UK’s most established life science and tech communities. The campus is home to more than 150 fast-growth, pioneering SMEs and large market leading businesses spanning biotech, precision medicine, diagnostics, digital health, cyber security, digital technology, medtech and light manufacturing. These include the likes of international molecular diagnostics group Yourgene Health which opened its new global hub at the campus; Zilico which is developing the next generation of diagnostic devices for cervical cancer; and enzyme engineering company Imperagen. It will also support further economic growth through the creation of over 2,500 FTE jobs during its construction, operation and in the wider economy as a result of the development.

The new development is located immediately adjacent to the University of Manchester’s main campus, in the heart of the city’s Oxford Road Corridor innovation district, which is home to 50% of the city’s life science businesses. The Manchester Science Park campus is also a government-designated High Potential Opportunity Zone for Diagnostics and Early Intervention for Healthy Ageing, and a named Enterprise Zone. Businesses moving to the thriving campus will be provided by Bruntwood SciTech with direct access to R&D and funding support, world-class talent, and clinical trials opportunities, along with their recently announced UK-wide life science support network, as well as the research and capabilities of the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the UK’s largest NHS Trust – Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

As well as benefiting from co-location opportunities, the CL2 lab space in Greenheys will offer benefits such as increased vibration resistance and floor loading, and the provision of piped gas distribution systems, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems and Local Exhaust Ventilation servicing to facilitate fume cupboard installations. Alongside this, high security access, 100GB superfast connectivity, a grab and go food and beverage station, shared breakout space, and an internally secure cycle storage with shower, changing and kit drying facilities will be available. Businesses will also have access to the campus’ 180 person event space, roof terrace social space, cafe and pub, studio gym, multiple meeting rooms including a 24-person boardroom, and on site parking with EV charge points.

Peter Crowther, Property Director at Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, said:

“The future success of the UK life science sector is dependent on its many fast-growing and innovative businesses having access to the infrastructure they need, whether that be flexible, specialist workspace or facilitated direct connections into world-class R&D, talent or potential collaboration opportunities with like-minded businesses.

“We continue to demonstrate our long term commitment to the places and cities in which we operate, Manchester Science Park being an exemplar of this. Since 2012 we have invested £43m in completing the first two phases of its masterplan, growing the campus from 210,000 to 500,000 sq ft and supporting more than 2,000 people based there everyday, and look forward to commencing with our third phase of redevelopment, at Greenheys.”

Bruntwood SciTech’s continued investment into Manchester Science Park as part of its masterplan signals its long term commitment to developing specialist ecosystems to support the growth of the UK science and tech sector, and the creation of over 40,000 high value jobs over the next 15 years. Manchester Science Park is part of Bruntwood SciTech’s network of innovation districts across the UK and 500+ specialist sector business community based across 11 campuses, five of those being in Greater Manchester and Cheshire; Citylabs, Circle Square and ID Manchester in addition to Manchester Science Park within the city’s innovation district, and Alderley Park. Other campuses are located in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and Cambridge.

The new scheme is subject to planning approval by Manchester City Council and will represent another step forward for Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor, one of the North of England’s most important commercial areas, generating around £3bn in GVA per year.

An online consultation event will take place on 14th March and an in person event on 16th March at the Bright Building, Manchester Science Park. Members of the public are invited to attend to find out more information about the plans for the building. Subject to planning, the new development will open in Spring 2026, with enabling works starting in Summer 2023.

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.