The Urgent Case for UMIST and the Hollaway Wall

A crucial moment

It is a crucial moment for Manchester's architectural legacy, as two significant planning applications, threaten to irrevocably alter the city's twentieth-century built heritage.

These proposals, concerning the alterations to the Grade II listed Sculptural Wall (Hollaway Wall) and the wholesale demolition of much of the former UMIST Campus respectively, represent a concerning trend of disregarding the tangible layers of our recent history. A strong case for their retention is paramount, rooted in their undeniable architectural, historical, and public amenity value.

The Hollaway Wall at London Road, is a distinctive Grade II listed artwork created by sculptor Antony Hollaway in 1968, and is far more than a mere boundary. It is an integral piece of public art, a sculptural statement that contributes significantly to the visual identity and cultural fabric of its surroundings. Application 143025/LO/2025 proposes the removal of large elements of this significant piece. Such a drastic intervention would constitute a fundamental and irreparable alteration to a listed structure of artistic merit, thereby causing substantial harm to its special architectural and historic interest. The very essence of its listing is tied to its sculptural integrity and artistic expression; removing significant portions would diminish, if not destroy, the artist's original intent and the very reason for its heritage designation.

This proposed fragmentation directly impacts the public's ability to appreciate this listed artwork. A key aspect of "amenity" in a public space, particularly concerning a listed artwork, is the ability for the public to engage with and understand its intended form and significance. By removing substantial sections, the application would directly lead to a profound loss of amenity for the public.

Clipping the wings of the Angel of the North, or filling the holes in a Henry Moore is unthinkable, as should be the dismemberment of this large scale sculpture. The artwork, as it currently stands, offers a unique visual experience and narrative. Fragmenting it would reduce its legibility, aesthetic impact, and historical context, thus preventing current and future generations from fully appreciating its artistic and heritage value. 

Loss of Significant Architectural Heritage Assets and Twentieth-Century Built Heritage

Concurrently, planning application 143024/FO/2025 seeks the wholesale demolition of much of the former UMIST Campus site. This complex is a site of profound architectural and historical significance, representing a substantial and coherent collection of twentieth-century built heritage. The proposals target key structures including the Barnes Wallis and Wright Robinson Building (W. A. Gibbon, Cruikshank &Seward, 1964), Manchester Meeting Place, Morton Laboratory (H. M. Fairhurst, 1966), Moffatt Building and the unique Butterfly Stairs.

These buildings, individually and collectively, embody a distinct period of academic and architectural development in Manchester. They showcase particular styles, materials, and planning philosophies that are increasingly rare due to ongoing demolition across the city. The comprehensive proposed demolition of this site would result in an irreversible and catastrophic loss of an entire campus ensemble, destroying a valuable legacy of post-war development and educational infrastructure.

Although the Renold Building is not included in this application, this large scale destruction represents a significant blow to the city's twentieth-century built heritage. As existing examples of this era are steadily eroded, the collective significance of surviving sites like the UMIST Campus grows. To permit the demolition of these specific buildings – the Barnes Wallis and Wright Robinson Building, Manchester Meeting Place, Morton Laboratory, Moffat Building, and the Butterfly Stairs – would be a failure to protect and appreciate an entire stratum of Manchester's architectural history. It would set a dangerous precedent, implying that entire historical campuses can be simply erased, irrespective of their collective architectural or historical value.

Impact on the Character and Appearance of the Area – Loss of Established Identity

The UMIST Campus possesses a distinct and established character, formed by the interrelationship of its buildings, open spaces, and mature landscaping. This identity, heavily influenced by structures such as the Barnes Wallis and Wright Robinson Building and the unique architectural features like the Butterfly Stairs, contributes significantly to the visual amenity and sense of place within this part of the city. The proposed wholesale demolition would obliterate this established character, replacing it with an entirely new development whose design and impact are, at this stage, speculative. Such an extreme intervention would lead to a profound loss of local distinctiveness and an erosion of the area's historical layering. The existing campus represents a tangible historical footprint that should be preserved, or at the very least, sensitively integrated into any future development, rather than entirely removed.

Inadequate Justification for Comprehensive Demolition and Lack of Sustainable Alternatives

For a site of such considerable architectural heritage, the application provides insufficient justification for the necessity of wholesale demolition of all these buildings. Demolition should always be considered a last resort, particularly when dealing with large-scale developments involving numerous structures. The proposal appears to be a convenient, rather than necessary, solution, minimising the environmental and heritage benefits of adaptive reuse. Sustainable development principles advocate for the retention and repurposing of existing structures to reduce embodied carbon and minimise waste, considerations that appear to be under valued in this comprehensive demolition proposal.

An irreversible loss 

The collective impact of these two planning applications is deeply concerning. At a time when Manchester is undergoing rapid transformation, it's vital to balance progress with preservation. The Hollaway Wall and the UMIST Campus buildings aren't impediments to progress, but rather valuable assets that offer a sense of continuity, identity, and historical depth to the city. Their wholesale destruction or significant alteration would represent an irreversible loss of our shared heritage. It's imperative that Manchester City Council prioritises the preservation of these significant architectural and artistic assets, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the rich and diverse history of our built environment. A more thoughtful, sustainable, and heritage-led approach to the redevelopment of these sites is not just desirable, but absolutely essential.

Have your say

You can comment on these planning applications (by Sunday 29 June, 2025) using the details provided on the notification online here (Hollaway Wall) and here (UMIST). Alternatively, you can directly email your comments to planning@manchester.gov.uk making sure that you include the reference number of application you are commenting on. And remember, they will only consider the relevant planning issues, you can view these online here).