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Thumbs up to 'community campus'

MMU 'good for hulme'

HULME and Moss Side residents have given a strong ‘thumbs up’ to proposals for a university campus in their community.

Four-fifths of people quizzed on the £120 million campus for Manchester Metropolitan University believe that the proposals will have a positive impact on their neighbourhood.

MMU‘s ‘community campus’ at Birley Fields, was approved in principle by Manchester City Council’s Executive in June as a key part of the regeneration of the district.

Sustainable campus

A single campus for 6,000 staff and students in Education, Health and Social Care, is central to the University’s mission to train ‘world class professionals’.

Among the university’s proposals is a commitment to make the campus the most sustainable in the UK with significant open space and an aspiration to produce zero waste, water and carbon dioxide.

Three-months of community consultation have seen 4,000 local people offer their views in person at more than 40 events, covering shopping areas, libraries, community centres, schools and places of worship in Hulme and Moss Side.

Tom McGee, spokesman for Loreto College, one of the venues, said: "We have been kept very well informed. Local people are very interested in the MMU’s proposals and the more they learn, the more they are warming to it."

8,000 newsletters and freepost questionnaires were also delivered to homes and
businesses, with a further 5,000 handed out at community venues. 835 questionnaire responses were returned – a quarter via the web.

80% say it’s positive

The official report into the consultation, conducted by consultants Drivers Jonas, found that 80% of respondents believed the campus would have a positive impact on Hulme and Moss Side. 11% disagreed and 9% said they didn’t know.

Positive comments indicated that the development would:

- give better access to university
- raise educational aspirations
- increase community spirit
- boost business
- make the community safer

Asked which type of facilities they would most like to see, those questioned considered a sports centre, cafés, restaurants, a library and a community education facility, the most desirable.

81% said they would expect to use the public square while 60% said they would be interested in enrolling on a university course.

Almost a third of business people would be interested in working with MMU, but many wanted better public transport links and ample provision for cyclists.

New relationship

Mary Heaney, Director of Services, at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "We are greatly encouraged by the positive response from such a wide range of local people, businesses and other organisations. Their contribution begins a new relationship between the university and our neighbouring communities which we fully intend to strengthen as the Birley Fields project evolves."

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This campus will be a world class development bringing new jobs as well as improved educational and community facilities. I'm delighted that these proposals have met with such an enthusiastic response from Moss Side and Hulme residents who recognise the enormous benefits they will bring."

Architects will be appointed in early 2010 to take forward the detailed design process. Further public consultation will take place before a detailed plan is submitted to Manchester City Council later next year.

Contacts

Gareth Hollyman, MMU Press Office - 0161 247 3406 mob 07748 111322
Roger Williams, Manchester City Council Press Office - 0161 234 3275

Published Monday, 26th October 2009