Bruntwood SciTech has received planning for the £60m next phase of the Manchester Science Park masterplan.
The scheme will see Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, redevelop the park’s existing Greenheys building, as 131,000 sq ft of high-spec lab space.
The six-storey purpose-built development has been designed specifically for scaling life science businesses working in diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine. It will offer a range of specialist CL2 labs with supporting office space, starting from 2,500 sq ft and up to 22,000 sq ft.
Specialist life science design features include increased vibration resistance and floor loading, the provision of piped gas distribution systems, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems, local exhaust ventilation servicing to facilitate fume cupboard installations, high-security access and 100GB superfast connectivity.
The scheme forms the third phase of Bruntwood SciTech’s masterplan to grow the science and technology hub to 1m sq ft.
It is expected to open in spring 2026 and follows the completion of its neighbouring building Base, which opened in July 2022 as a new tech hub for the campus.
Enabling works for Greenheys are due to commence later this summer.
The planning approval follows confirmation that UK Biobank – the world’s most significant source of data and biological samples for health research – will move to Greenheys.
UK Biobank was recently awarded £127.6m from UK Research and Innovation to support its relocation.
The new building will become UK Biobank’s headquarters and home to its 20m biological samples and laboratories.
The letting will leave 62,000 sq ft sq ft of commercial space available at Greenheys.
Peter Crowther, property director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “We are pleased to have had approval on our plans for the redevelopment of Greenheys ,which will see it become one of the most advanced and specialist life science spaces in the UK.
“With UK Biobank already announced to move to the new hub, we know this will be a big draw for scaling life science businesses who are keen to be located in the same building and access opportunities to work together with both them and the neighbouring researchers at the University of Manchester. The new Greenheys will build on the North West’s world-leading cluster of clinical, academic and commercial assets and we look forward to commencing with our enabling works later this summer and construction early next year.”
A local team has been appointed to work with Bruntwood SciTech on the redevelopment of Greenheys, consisting of BDP Architects, planning consultancy from Deloitte, cost consultancy from Walker Sime, DW Consulting for Structures and Civils, and Silcock Leedham for MEP.
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