Manchester submits bid for Airport City cash
MANCHESTER Airport has submitted a bid for £10m from the regional growth fund (RGF) to accelerate the development of its Airport City scheme at Manchester Airport.
The project has already been granted Enterprise Zone status by the coalition government, but it has submitted a second-round bid for RGF cash to pay for infrastructure works on the site including utilities, services and structual landscaping.
It claims the investment would allow it to support the construction of floorspace pre-let to four major international businesses which would support up to 1,000 new jobs.
John Atkins, managing director of MAG Developments, said: “Of all the designated Enterprise Zone projects, Airport City is probably the one at the most advanced stage – we intend to commence infrastructure development on site by the end of this financial year.
“However, to do this we need to invest in the project to help bring it to the market. We are looking at additional funding options to support our own investment and progress the first phase development programme, including a £10m RGF bid that will enable us to deliver infrastructure required to support the construction of a number of pre-lets, and in turn stimulate further private sector-led economic growth and investment.”
“This will not be one development but a place-making project over a 10- to 15-year period involving a number of development parcels.”
Work on a new Metrolink tramline that will run directly into the heart of the Airport City site by 2016 is also underway, with the Outwood Lane bridge currently being widened to accommodate the Metrolink line running underneath, adjacent to the existing rail lines.
