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Manchester City Council has approved a planning application for Phase II of the Space project. A £14 million investment package was agreed by the Council earlier this year to enable the expansion plans for The Space Project in West Gorton, east Manchester. This planning approval will see the production hub double in size by 2017.

Following PRP’s successful delivery of the 125,000 sq ft (11,612 sq m) first phase of the ambitious scheme, PRP has also designed Phase II of the project, which will involve the construction of nearly 92,000 sq ft (8,547 sq m) of new buildings for production and related support activities including a 30,000 sq ft (4,787 sq m) stage, more than 5,000 sq ft (464 sq m) of offices and green rooms, 10,000 sq ft (929 sq m) for set construction workshops, and a further 45,000 sq ft (4,1806 sq m) of business units for the TV production supply chain across the 17 acre (6.8 hectare) site.

The planning approval will provide for the redevelopment of 7.64 acres (3.1 hectares) of land incorporating the development of three new buildings with 92,000 sq ft (8,547 sq m) of floor space, associated external works including 450 car parking spaces and hard and soft landscaping.

The expansion of The Space Project will satisfy the nationally recognised demand for TV and film production stages as well as support space for supply chain businesses, which will help grow the sector and allow Manchester to further develop its already prominent position within the UK for media production.

Alistair Weir, Director at PRP in Manchester, said:

“Following our successful completion of the first phase of The Space Project, we are delighted that the Council has had the confidence to entrust the Phase II design to PRP, which will further raise Manchester’s already enviable reputation and prominent position for media production across the UK. The design, tailored to deliver the specific requirements of the sector, is a technical and aesthetic evolution of the current building but we have been careful to retain and reinforce the site’s unique brand identity.”

Susan Woodward, Founder of The Space Project, said:

“We have worked with PRP on The Sharp Project and the first phase of The Space Project.  They respond really well to our briefs and thoroughly understand the needs and desires of the TV and film production sector that we are delivering this purpose-built facility for.  It’s fantastic to work so closely with such an innovative and creative team as we move forward to the build stage of the project.

“Demand for production space is growing rapidly so the planning approval is great news for the city.  Building Phase II will help satisfy current and future demand and importantly allow us to accommodate essential supply chain businesses in a production hub which will develop local job opportunities and drive further growth in the sector.

“There is something magical about building Manchester’s future industry literally on top of the physical assets that drove the industrial revolution. Different industries but driven by the same ambitions – to be the best and provide the new jobs and new careers for the city and its people”

The Space Project opened in October 2014 and was funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) and Manchester City Council. In its first year it has attracted all major UK producers. Clients include BBC, Sky, Channel 4, Sony Big Talk and Tiger Aspect.  The first year saw on-site production activity supporting approximately 250 jobs with an associated GVA (Gross Value Added) benefit to the local economy of £9m.  The production stages have accommodated some of TV’s most popular dramas and comedies including Cold Feet for ITV, Cradle to Grave, BBC Two’s highest rating drama of the year, Boy Meets Girl, a fifth series of Mount Pleasant, and Paul Abbott’s hit No Offence for Channel 4 as well as CBBC’s World’s End. The Space Project has also become the new home of the BBC’s enduringly popular Dragons’ Den.