Images of the illustrative masterplan for Manchester’s trailblazing new city centre innovation district have been revealed as ID Manchester’s draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is published and a formal public consultation period begins.

Local residents, businesses and stakeholders have been invited to review the plans online. Throughout the summer, the public had the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback through online channels and in-person community consultation events run by the ID Manchester partnership, a joint venture between The University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech.

The ID Manchester partnership popped up in the city centre over the summer and held a community event at Brunswick Parish Church on Wednesday 6 September. More information on the project and consultation activities can be found on the ID Manchester website, along with an online questionnaire to submit feedback.

The newly published draft SRF sets out the scale, ambition and opportunities that ID Manchester brings to the city and includes a series of place-based principles that will guide detailed plans for development and future planning applications, and ensure the vision for ID Manchester to be recognised as one of the world’s leading applied innovation districts is realised.

Illustrative images of what the district could look like are shared in the SRF, including a new civic square, a revitalised Vimto Park and the repurposing of key heritage assets such as the Sackville Street and Renold buildings.

The SRF also details ID Manchester’s aim to build a diverse and inclusive community of innovators, and transform what was a purpose-built academic campus into a welcoming and accessible new area of the city. Through creative repurposing of existing buildings and spaces, such as the Pariser and Renold buildings, a “meanwhile” use strategy has been implemented to bring early activation to the site ahead of redevelopment, with a mix of commercial office, lab and makerspace premises, pop-up retail and leisure spaces, events and programmed activities focused on science, technology, arts, culture and innovation.

Once completed, ID Manchester will create over 10,000 new jobs and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the city. Totaling over 4 million sq ft, the illustrative masterplan has the potential to accommodate over 2 million sq ft of commercial and retail space, and over 1,500 homes.

John Holden, Associate Vice-President for Major Special Projects at the University, said: “This is a key milestone in delivering our vision for ID Manchester and we’re excited to share our plans with the public. ID Manchester will see the transformation of the University’s North campus, breathing new life into the site with a renewed purpose to drive positive economic, social and environmental change through innovation.”

“For over a century, the site has been a centre for science, teaching and innovation, and ID Manchester will build on that history. We look forward to engaging with the public and the University’s stakeholders to hear their views on how ID Manchester can benefit residents and businesses across Greater Manchester.”

Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “Manchester remains a fast growing and constantly changing city that puts people at its heart. ID Manchester will add to the collective strength, innovation and learning that has ensured the wider Oxford Road Corridor is a place of global renown. This is an opportunity for our residents to input and help guide this development through the pre-planning stages and influence the birth of a new neighbourhood in our city centre. I would urge our residents and businesses to make their voices heard.”