Airport City North planning application is imminent, says council

AN outline planning application is being prepared for the “core” of Manchester’s Enterprise Zone – Airport City North.

A framework for the Enterprise Zone, which will seek to fuel business growth with financial incentives and relaxed planning regulations, has been prepared by Drivers Jonas Deloitte which should be approved at a Manchester City Council executive meeting next week.

Paperwork accompanying the proposals says outline planning for Airport City North is “expected shortly”. It will follow plans for a £100m world logistics hub which have already been submitted.

The Enterprise Zone has five keys areas around the airport and Wythenshawe Hospital. These are: offices and manufacturing at Airport City North; a base for health and biotech firms at the proposed Medipark and Roundthorn Industrial Estate, close to the hospital; a world freight facility at Airport City South; Wythenshawe Town Centre; and Atlas Business Park.

Airport City North covers 110 acres north of the airport terminals on either side of the M56 spur road. DJD’s report said priority has been given to the sites where development can be anticipated in “a reasonably short period of time and where planning and infrastructure risks are minimal”.

The concept for Airport City is of high-quality offices, an advanced manufacturing district and a location for hotels and other support services for Manchester Airport.

“It is a high-value, high-intensity district with a strong identity and presence, easily accessible and highly visible that will form the core of the Enterprise Zone,” said the report.

“It is designed to attract national and international enterprises who can take advantage of the location in the heart of the North West and of the UK and the ready international connectivity provided by the airport.”

It goes onto describe how office development will be arranged around a central green space, in close walking distance of the transport hub, with advanced manufacturing uses proposed for the more distant locations.

DJD and Jones Lang LaSalle are leading on the delivery of the masterplan for Airport City, which has been developed by Canadian firm Urban Strategies and Manchester-based architects 5plus.

Altrincham-based Planit will design landscape and public realm areas, while AECOM and Davis Langdon have been chosen to advise on transportation, energy, utilities, sustainability and cost consultancy.