The BBC has reached agreement with the developer Peel Holdings over the detailed terms under which it will occupy buildings in the mediacity:uk development at Salford Quays. The BBC Trust has today approved the terms of the deal, meaning that the BBC’s proposed move of five of its London-based departments to the North of England will now definitely go ahead.
BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson, said: “I’m delighted that the BBC’s vision for its expanded presence in the North of England is now firmly on the road to reality. I’m excited by the plans and believe they have a key part to play in the BBC’s future. The modern, multimedia broadcast and production centre in Salford will shift the BBC’s centre of gravity away from London, bringing a range of creative benefits to us and, I hope, helping us to better reflect and represent the whole of the UK. I’m glad that the BBC Trust agreed that this project represents value for money for licence fee payers and that we are now able to proceed.”
It is expected that preliminary work will begin at mediacity:uk in Salford Quays within days, followed by the start of construction works in September 2007. The mediacity:uk site is being developed by a partnership comprising the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, the North West Regional Development Agency, Peel Holdings and Salford City Council.
The BBC will move five London-based departments, including two television channels and two radio networks, to Salford Quays:
- BBC Children’s (including CBBC and CBeebies television and radio)
- BBC Children’s Learning
- parts of BBC Future Media & Technology (including BBC Research & Development)
- BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra)
- BBC Sport
Approximately 1,500 London-based posts will relocate to Salford Quays in 2011. Around 800 staff currently based at the BBC in Manchester will also move to the new site.
(Source: BBC Press Office)
on Dec 4th, 2007 at 17:55
I thought MediaNetwork Weblog readers might be interested to know the current status of the actual build for MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays.
The site now consists of 6 cranes with a 7th on the way (crane base in place). Most of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 9-10 stories (maybe more) for the highest cores.
The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCIty:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.
The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.
The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.
For a photographic timeline for November / December and beyond (and pictures back to June of this year), go to Google and search on ‘media city uk salford quays timeline q4′.
Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.
Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.
I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 12 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.
on Nov 21st, 2008 at 11:27
For the latest movies relating to the Peel MediaCityUK Salford Quays development, goto http://www.markwhitfield.net and access the movies option. This link is updated frequently with the latest captures from the development.