Jun 27, 2023

The Mayfield Partnership announces plans for a more sustainable first phase of commercial development at the transformational Mayfield neighbourhood

The planned multi-storey car park, designed by Studio Egret West, sees the biggest proposed change and would be remodelled as a multi-use building, featuring one of the city’s biggest, single-site cycle parking for over 400 bicycles. It will feature a series of attractive brick arches, which mirror the historic railway arches at Mayfield Depot, with ground floor cafés, bars, restaurants and event spaces.

Alongside the multi-storey car park, the two office buildings, The Poulton, designed by Bennetts Associates and The Republic, designed by Morris+Company, were originally granted unanimous planning consent in 2020 by Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee. Since then, the bold move to deliver the park first for the people of Manchester has led to the creation and delivery of the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park which opened in September 2022 and spans the uncovered and cleaned River Medlock with 140 mature trees and tens of thousands of plants and shrubs.

Reflecting and supporting Manchester’s ambitions to pioneer a low-carbon future, the transport hub will feature fewer car parking spaces with additional electric vehicle charging points. More than 500m² of PV panels on the structure will further boost sustainability at Mayfield.

As transport habits in the city change, the transport hub includes the flexibility to increase the provision of EV charging to 50%, add additional bicycle parking or to adapt to a complete change of use in the future.

The plans have been brought forward by the pioneering Mayfield Partnership, a public-private venture made up of Landsec-U+I (the regeneration arm of Landsec), Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and placemaking and regeneration specialist LCR.

Subject to planning consent, work will begin on Mayfield Phase One later this year (2023).

Laura Percy, Development Director at LandsecU+I said: “Our updated proposals for a cleaner, greener and future-focused Mayfield phase one embrace the profound changes we’ve seen in recent years to the way we work, travel, and how highly we now value wellness and nature.

“Since then, Mayfield has contributed a beautiful new public park in the heart of Manchester. We believe Mayfield has the right mix to improve the quality of life for those who come here now, and for future generations.

“Creating the city’s largest cycle park and designing-in the flexibility to repurpose the car park for a range of different uses, are just some of the ways we’re approaching Mayfield with a sustainable future in mind.

“Future occupiers at Mayfield will be drawn by the stunning views across the park, ecology, biodiversity and peaceful green space literally on their doorsteps, and a vision and commitment from the Mayfield Partnership that this place is a truly world-class urban neighbourhood long into the future.”

Mayfield is a transformational £1.5bn regeneration project in Manchester city centre, adjacent to the city’s mainline Piccadilly train station. The first £400m phase of Mayfield is being funded by Landsec.

In May 2023 it was announced that the heart of the scheme - Mayfield Park - Manchester’s new green lung, is leading the way to a healthier future by pledging its intention to become a smokefree space. Opened in September 2022, the 6.5-acre park has quickly established itself as a popular destination for people of all ages. It is the first green space in Greater Manchester to champion the city region’s plans to create more smokefree spaces.