By Oliver Clark
Work on the first phase of Manchester's Airport City is to begin in 2012, with the gateway looking to compete with Barcelona, Dusseldorf and Amsterdam airports to become a major business hub, it was announced today.
Manchester Airport City will target logistics, freight forwarders, R&D companies companies and medical tourism thanks to its promiximity to Wythenshawe Hospital, to become a success.
The announcement comes after approval today (April 5) by Manchester City Council of a preliminary airport city masterplan, which was developed by Urban Strategists, Drivers Jonas Deloitte and Jones Lang Lasalle.
Two weeks ago, Manchester Airport was named as one of the UK's first 10 'Enterprise Zones' in the March 2011 budget, giving it access to approximately €310,000 of business rate discounts over five years, giving its airport city plans a major boost.
"Airport City will see the creation of thousands of jobs which will be critical to ensure the city's success as we emerge from the economic downturn. It also provides us with a unique opportunity to significantly accelerate Manchester's economic growth and realise our ambitions for the airport as a global business destination. As we move into a consultation process, we welcome comments on this important development," said Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said.
According to the draft master plan the airport city development is set to "transform the airport into an economic hub and destination in its own right" by focusing on increasing long-haul flights, improving ground transportation and delivery of a real estate platform to enable further business opportunities in health, logistics, cargo, advanced manufacturing and corporate sectors to be brought forward.
Inital predictions are that the airport city will generate 7,000 jobs and a €149 million growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy.
The programme will consist of the following major components:
freight forwarders, integrators and other types of Airport logistics businesses;
"ó business space - high quality office accommodation, advanced manufacturing; R&D and health
related uses attractive to global businesses looking for an integrated service offer;
"ó science and research - including companies and international corporates looking for north west
representation in the marketplace; and
"ó land for other uses - further hotel development, ancillary leisure/retail uses and residential
development, to service and support the enlarged workforce, passengers and delivery of the Airport
City.
The airport already boasts major road links, an existing rail link to Manchester Piccadilly, while a €455 million grant from the GM Transport Fund will help boost the planned extension of the city's metrolink to the airport, which is expected to be completed by 2016. With these intermodal connections, the airport hopes to entice international business.
It is anticipated that detailed planning applications will be ready to be submitted, subject to the public consultation, by the end of 2011 and work on the first phase of Airport City will begin in 2012.
