Thousands of jobs promised as new airport city goes to public consultation

Posted: 19/08/2024

The joint venture partnership behind MIX MANCHESTER, formerly Airport City Manchester, is taking its plans for the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus to public consultation. 

This follows approval in principle of the draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) by Manchester City Council’s (MCC) executive committee.

The MIX MANCHESTER SRF has been prepared by planning consultant CBRE, to deliver a revised masterplan that has been developed by Sheppard Robson over the past two years.

The eight-week public consultation allows residents, the wider community and other key stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the masterplan. The SRF will be updated accordingly as a reference for the planning process. 

Members of the public are invited to leave their feedback via the MIX MANCHESTER website (www.mix-manchester.com). Feedback and enquiries can also be sent to feedback@mix-manchester.com or by calling a dedicated freephone number on 0800 068 8471.

Consultation events will be held at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre on Portway, Wythenshawe, on 9 September from 9.30am to 2.30pm and 17 September from 4.30 to 7.30pm.

Wythenshawe residents in close proximity to the site will also receive direct communications with instructions on how to respond to the consultation.

Speaking on behalf of the joint venture partnership, group property director at Manchester Airports Group Gareth Jackson said: “Since the launch of MIX MANCHESTER in May, we’ve been working closely with our planning consultant CBRE, and our wider project team to finalise the draft SRF.

“We’re thrilled to gain approval in principle for our masterplan for this ambitious site and look forward to beginning the public consultation – to share our vision for MIX MANCHESTER and engage with the wider community to ensure our plans are well-designed to meet local needs.”

MIX MANCHESTER will see the creation of the UK’s best-connected science, innovation, and manufacturing campus at Manchester Airport.

Located off the new Enterprise Way link road, the 60-acre site will be brought forward in a phased manner, subject to planning approval.

Once completed, the development will be one of the largest science and innovation campuses in the UK and the only UK campus of its kind adjacent to an international airport.

Expected to create up to 8,000 jobs, it will deliver two million square feet of high-quality advanced manufacturing and science space alongside complementary amenities such as hotels, leisure facilities and public realm.

MCC executive member for housing and development councillor Gavin White said: “The vision for MIX MANCHESTER presents another significant investment in our city that enhances our reputation as a centre of excellence in science and innovation – and a further platform for economic growth in our emerging industries.

“The campus will create thousands of jobs and supports the ongoing regeneration of our communities in Wythenshawe, as well as cementing Manchester’s place as a leader in innovation on a global scale.”

The joint venture partnership behind MIX MANCHESTER includes a portfolio of clients represented by Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, Manchester Airports Group, Beijing Construction Engineering Group International, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

With £30 million of joint venture capital having already been invested in highways and utilities infrastructure, MIX MANCHESTER is being marketed as a ‘shovel-ready’ site.

A new pedestrian bridge linking to the main airport site, the Enterprise Way link road and the installation of high voltage electricity and utilities connections have already been completed, as well as three new hotels.