Balfour Beatty has been appointed to create a new £350m engineering campus for the University of Manchester.

The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) will be one of the largest, single construction projects ever undertaken by a higher education institution in the UK.

The MECD will be located opposite the new National Graphene Institute on Booth Street East.

Architect's Mecanoo have been appointed to the development, which is due to open in 2020.

The project is being delivered through the University's Construction Partnering Framework.

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Balfour Beatty is one of the framework partners appointed in June.

Demolition of the former Grosvenor Halls of Residence has already begun, with these works being completed during the first half of 2016.

Professor Martin Schröder, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University, said: "This outstanding new campus development will build upon our proud heritage of innovation and discovery across engineering and science that began with the establishment of the Manchester Mechanics' Institute in 1824.

"MECD will inspire engineers to continue our pioneering spirit and to apply their knowledge and help modern industry overcome global challenges, such as climate change, finite natural resources and changing world markets."

Once complete, the Manchester Engineering Campus Development will become home to the University's four engineering schools and two research institutes from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

(LM)