The university plans to redevelop its Fallowfield campus, building 3,300 student bedrooms across 23 new accommodation blocks, split into five ‘neighbourhood clusters’. This development will replace 2,350 rooms in Woolton Hall, Oak House, and Owens Park halls. The university already has outline planning permission, with final details submitted to the council on March 17.
The university argues that the current accommodation, built in the 1950s and 60s, is no longer fit for purpose and needs replacing. The demolition of Owens Park Tower, an iconic 18-storey building, began last year, marking the end of its 60-year presence in south Manchester. The Tower had housed notable residents such as The Chemical Brothers, Rik Mayall, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Originally, a 2015 plan to replace the tower with a ‘village green’ was scrapped, leaving only new Unsworth Park and Uttley House built on vacant land. Over the past few years, more students have moved away from Fallowfield to the city centre, with the number of students living in Fallowfield homes dropping by 20% since 2018.
Despite this, the university maintains that Fallowfield is still a popular location, with nearly 43% of applicants in 2021/22 selecting it as their first choice. The university also emphasized that enhancing accommodation there would meet demand sustainably and support student wellbeing.
Councillor Gavin White acknowledged the shift to city centre living but insisted that Fallowfield would continue to attract students.
1. Artist's impression of a revamped University of Manchester Fallowfield campus student accommodation
Plans are for 3,300 student bedrooms in 23 new accommodation blocks | Sheppard Robson/University of Manchester/planning documents/LDRS
2. Artist's impression of a revamped University of Manchester Fallowfield campus student accommodation
Blocks will be divided into five ‘neighbourhood clusters’ | Sheppard Robson/University of Manchester/planning documents/LDRS
3. Artist's impression of a revamped University of Manchester Fallowfield campus student accommodation
The new blocks will replace the 2,350 rooms earmarked for destruction in the Woolton Hall, Oak House, and Owens Park halls of residences | Sheppard Robson/University of Manchester/planning documents/LDRS
4. Artist's impression of a revamped University of Manchester Fallowfield campus student accommodation
The replacement blocks are needed because the current accommodation, largely built in the 1950s and 60s, is now 'reaching the end of its functional life’ and needs razing. | Sheppard Robson/University of Manchester/planning documents/LDRS