Sheppard Robson has been appointed to design a ‘community campus’ in Hulme. The £120million scheme by Manchester Metropolitan University will create a new home for 6,000 staff and students from the Institute of Education and the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care.

A  campus in Hulme will help build on the University’s strengths in community engagement, applied research and access to higher education. Manchester City Council has described it as a major driver in the area’s on-going regeneration.

A spokesman for MMU said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Manchester  practice Sheppard Robson to lead the design team on this world class project.

“Our commitment is to create the most sustainable campus in the country, and we are therefore delighted to be partnering Sheppard Robson, the 2009 winner of the Architect’s Journal Most Sustainable Practice.”

Ian Butler, managing partner at Sheppard Robson commented:  “We are thrilled to have won the competitive tender for this hugely important project. The community campus will have a dramatic impact upon Hulme, pushing forward regeneration plans in the area to create a vibrant hub that will benefit not only MMU students but, the community as a whole.

“Sheppard Robson has a unique ethos to ensure that all its projects are sustainable. In our practice this is not an added extra but a fundamental part of our everyday design and build process. As such we are very well matched to the University and Council’s desire and requirement for the new campus.”

The new campus will deliver outstanding teaching and research spaces, a student information point, student accommodation, car parking, shared community facilities and a major public square fronting Stretford Road.

The 45,000 square metre site will link to the University’s main campus half a kilometre east at All Saints.

 Vice-Chancellor Professor John Brooks said: (update?) "A brand new campus is not only good news for students and staff but puts the university into the heart of the community it serves creating new links and opportunity."

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: (update?) "MMU’s proposal has the potential to herald a new chapter in the regeneration of Hulme. As well as the jobs it directly creates there will be significant spin-off benefits for businesses as students and staff spend money in the area. Crucially, it will also open up new higher education opportunities for local people."

Sheppard Robson, along with landscape and urban design practice, Gillespies and project management and engineering firm, AECOM,will now take forward the broad proposals for the campus which were approved by Manchester City Council in June 2009. Further public consultation will take place before a detailed plan is submitted for planning approval.

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