Manchester Metropolitan University ’s Crewe campus is set to be closed after board members decided it was "no longer academically or financially sustainable" - despite a £70m transformation.

The Cheshire site is set to shut in 2019 after university chiefs brought in financial experts to consider whether it was sustainable.

The university started a consultation on the closure today following a meeting with trade union bosses.

They insist the board’s endorsement is not a final decision - and that work to assess the impact of the plan will continue.

The university’s executive group will consider feedback on the proposal before making a final decision in the spring term next year.

Students will be taught at the campus, which has undergone a £70m transformation, until summer 2019.

Around £16m has been invested in the last six years alone.

Dwindling student numbers have blighted the university in recent years.

Crewe’s Alsager campus was shut in 2010. It still lies empty, ready to be transformed into 400 homes.

Financial consultants Deloitte concluded the only viable solution was to shut the Crewe campus.

(Image: Google)

Union chiefs say they are concerned about redundancies. It is unclear how many members of staff could be out of the job and how many could move to Manchester.

A university statement released following the board meeting read: “Manchester Metropolitan University has been undertaking a review of the long term future of academic provision at its Cheshire campus.

“After full and careful consideration, the board has endorsed a preference to withdraw from the campus.

“It is important to note the board of governors endorsement does not constitute a final decision about the future of the Cheshire campus.

“The review was undertaken following the decision by the board, at an earlier meeting, that the campus was neither academically nor financially sustainable.

“Any changes that come about as a result of this course of action will be staged over a period of time.”

(Image: Google)

A University and College Union (UCU) petition urging bosses not to shut the campus has amassed more than 1,500 signatures.

It reads: “UCU believes there is a viable future for MMU in Crewe based on our distinctive inter-disciplinary student offer and improved investment in the student experience.

“We call on the vice-chancellor and the governing body of Manchester Metropolitan University to commit to a sustainable future for higher education provision in Crewe; engage with staff on the basis of financial transparency; launch a genuine consultation on all options for the future; and co-operate with UCU, Unison and GMB to avoid compulsory redundancies.”

Vice-chancellor Professor Malcolm Press said: “It has been evident for some time that the Cheshire campus is no longer academically or financially sustainable for the university.

“The review conducted by Deloitte has examined the options in detail and concluded that the only viable solution is withdrawal from the campus.

“I recognise the significance of this for the staff, students and local community, but it is important to note that this remains a proposal subject to further consultation.”

The university has pumped £350m into its estate in recent years. Its £140m campus Birley Campus in Hulme opened in 2014.