PLANS for a £120m university `super-campus' are going under the spotlight.

Manchester Metropolitan University plans to replace sites in Didsbury and Rusholme with a new facility at Birley Fields, Hulme.

Intended to be the greenest campus in Britain, it should bring together training facilities for teachers and health professionals and create hundreds of jobs for locals at the same time.

Now, Hulme and Moss Side residents have the chance to say what they think of the proposals.

Report
A report was submitted to the city council's executive on Wednesday, launching a three-month consultation period intended to refine and develop the scheme before a formal planning application is handed in.

Throughout July, a series of meetings will be held with people living in the area about the `community campus', which university bosses say will be worth £29m a year to the local economy.

Jobs
As well as creating 340 campus jobs and boosting spending at local retailers, including those on Hulme High Street, university bosses are promising to help local people into higher education.

The site could also feature a square, job centre, village hall, health centre, business centre, and public library.

MMU vice-chancellor Professor John Brooks said: "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 jobs and opportunity and helping to address crucial agendas for the city on health and education."

Disruption
The university revealed plans to close its campus in Didsbury last year. MMU had planned to invest £19m in new teaching blocks in the suburb, but residents opposed the scheme, arguing expansion would create traffic problems and other disruption.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council said: "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.

'Opportunities'
"Crucially, it will also open up new higher education opportunities for local people."

Hulme and Moss Side residents who want to learn more about the proposals, ask questions or give their views can meet a joint team from the university and the city council, who begin a tour of venues at the Aquarius Community Centre at Eden Street, Hulme at July 1 from 4pm until 6pm.