Redbank NT02/03/04 Manchester

RoC Consulting has been appointed by Far East Consortium (FEC) to undertake the civil and structural engineering design of Red Bank, Plots NT02, NT03 and NT04, the first three plots to be developed within the proposed Red Bank neighbourhood masterplan.
The residential-led mixed use offer provided by these plots will collectively deliver 1,549 high quality homes alongside commercial space, amenity functions, and public realm in several mid-rise and high-rise buildings ranging in height from approximately 8 – 34 storeys. The scheme falls under the wider Victoria North regeneration area, formerly the Northern Gateway Strategic Regeneration Framework, a joint venture between Far East Consortium (FEC) and Manchester City Council to regenerate an area to the north of central Manchester and deliver approximately 15,000 new homes over the next 15 to 20 years.

The proposals for NT02-04 provide solutions to some of the challenges of the site itself, including sloping topography, an operational railway viaduct along the southern boundary and a gas main below the site. These solutions seize the opportunity to create a new and fantastic extension to the city centre promoting active travel, introducing high quality public realm with green spaces for residents and the public to enjoy, in a lively and well-connected neighbourhood.

Plot NT02 contains two buildings, a 34-storey tower of residential apartments and a 6-storey clubhouse that will provide the amenity space for the apartments on plot NT03. Plot NT03 contains 3 residential buildings around a shared podium courtyard, a 20-storey tower, a 31-storey tower with an 8-storey shoulder block and a 10-storey mid-rise building. Plot NT04 also contains 3 residential buildings around a shared podium courtyard, a 24-storey tower with a 10-storey shoulder block, a 28-storey tower with a 10-storey shoulder block, and an 8-storey mid-rise building.

Cast in-situ reinforced concrete construction has been proposed for all the buildings, except for the clubhouse on plot NT02 for which several frame types have been considered but no final decision has yet been made.

The project is being constructed in phases with Plots NT02 and NT03 to be constructed in the first phase, due to commence Q1 2026. An enabling works contract is currently underway to prepare the development plots for construction. This work consists of demolition of the existing buildings on the site, the gas main diversion, a reduced level dig piling platform formation level, contaminated land remediation and the construction of a length of new retaining wall to support the railway. Working on behalf of FEC, RoC Consulting has prepared all the design information for the enabling works, including the remediation strategy, in addition to undertaking the new building design.

RoC Consulting has been instrumental in driving cost and carbon saving efficiencies into the scheme including reducing slab thickness to 230mm, detailed sway sensitivity analysis to drive efficiencies in core and foundation arrangements and a diagrid pile arrangement for the core base to rationalise the foundation size.

RoC has also played a significant role in site remediation where TCE ground water remediation was required. With RoC liaising with statutory authorities for approval and monitoring of the enabling works.