The development of the Manchester Digital Campus has taken a major step forward, with HM Treasury giving its approval to the outline business case for the hub.
The campus, which will be located on a brownfield site in Ancoats, central Manchester, will bring together around 8,800 staff from multiple government departments with a focus on digital work.
With a targeted opening of 2032, the MDC will provide approximately 900,000 sq ft of purpose-built workspace across two buildings.
Planning permission was granted in February 2025, with enabling works set to begin in 2026-27 and main construction due to follow from 2027-29.
The campus is a key part of the government’s Places for Growth programme, which aims to bring more senior and policy roles outside of London, and to strengthen government presence in the regions and nations.
It is also expected to help the government to reach its ambition of having one in ten civil servants in technology and digital roles by 2030, galvanising technology and digital functions and operators in the region in anticipation of its opening. Currently, just over 5% of officials are in tech and digital roles.
The campus is a Cabinet Office programme principally delivered by the Government Property Agency in close collaboration with the multiple government departments involved.
Construction is expected to support approximately 4,900 direct jobs over a four-year build period.
Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley said: “We are turning disused land into a digital centre for government, boosting local growth and supporting regeneration of Manchester's vibrant city centre.
“I am a firm believer that the best ideas often come from those on the frontline. Our plans will move decision-making out of Whitehall and into cities like Manchester, to ensure national policy is informed by local expertise. This will deliver real, tangible benefits for communities across the North, as well as saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.”
Philippa Harvey, the senior responsible owner for the MDC Programme, added: “This is the end of the beginning for a programme that has required extraordinary commitment from a huge number of people across government, in Manchester, and across the wider region.
“MDC is not just a new building – it is a transformation of how government works, bringing together digital expertise at scale in a world-class environment, fully embedded in the community we serve. I am enormously proud of what has been achieved by all involved and excited about what comes next.”
A former retail park, the land was acquired by Manchester City Council in 2017.
The Cabinet Office, GPA and MCC have worked in close partnership to develop a Strategic Regeneration Framework for the area, with the GPA planning two government office hubs on 5.5 acres, and the council planning to create a public park within the remaining site.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said the campus will be a “landmark programme that cements Manchester's growing global reputation in digital and cyber industries, creating major opportunities for residents and a huge boost to our city”.
The outline business case for MDC found that the campus is expected to yield £4.32 in benefit for every £1 spent over the project lifetime, and a Net Present Social Value of £2.345bn.
Compared to maintaining dispersed leasehold office accommodation across the region to meet this technological and digital space requirement, the new single-site freehold campus is expected to bring in £4.7bn in long-term estate efficiencies over 60 years.
At full operation, estate savings are projected at £240m per annum.