Major development in 'key Manchester location' to bring 2,000 jobs as council announces deal

A huge life sciences park set to bring over 2,000 jobs is to be built in a 'key' Manchester location.

Manchester City Council announced a deal today (December 2) with Kadans Science Partner UK, who will turn a 215,000 sq ft brownfield site in Upper Brook Street into a major lab and office space.

The new development, which runs adjacent to the Oxford Road corridor and sits close to the Mancunian Way, is set to be the first phase of the £450m Upper Brook Street regeneration programme which will transform the Manchester neighbourhood. Also in the pipeline are two purpose-built student accommodation buildings, and a further mixture of life science space and student accommodation further up Upper Brook Street. All were given planning permission in January this year.

READ MORE: Andy Burnham announces scheme that will save bus passengers 'a lot of money'

The council, who says it hopes the new life sciences park will foster links with the universities and research institutions that sit close by on Oxford Road, announced the disposal of land to Kadans today.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, called the area, which the authority says already boasts more than 50pc of all life science businesses in Manchester, a "key regeneration location" with potential to bring "long-term brownfield sites back into active use."

"This site represents the first of an ambitious programme of investment in this part of our city," said Coun Craig. "This is supporting enviable growth for our research and life science sectors, creating quality jobs for our residents and diversifying the city’s economy.

“Given its location close to the Oxford Road corridor, the site allows for close collaboration with the city’s universities and