Manchester Airport business park plans submitted

Developers say Airport City Manchester will create 11,400 jobs

Plans for a £650m business park at Manchester Airport have been submitted.

Developers MAG said Airport City Manchester will include office space, hotels and manufacturing centres and will create 11,400 jobs.

Manchester Airport's parent company plans to build the park on 65 acres of scrub land near the M56 and Woodhouse Park in Wythenshawe.

It is in the new Manchester Enterprise Zone - one of four in the country - set up by the government.

Enterprise zones were created to offer business rate discounts, simplified planning and access to super-fast broadband in order to boost economic growth.

MAG hopes the development will attract inward investment and bring job opportunities to the people of Wythenshawe.

'Economic hub'

At the centre of the proposal is a new 13-acre central park, surrounded by buildings and public areas.

MAG's Airport City director, John Atkins, said: "Airport City will attract investment from international businesses and become a catalyst for the wider long term regeneration of Wythenshawe, with the creation of thousands of new jobs.

"It brings a world-class commercial product that is sustainable and innovative to the UK for the first time - this presents Manchester with a unique opportunity to add to its offer as a major European business city and will enhance the airport's reputation as an economic hub and a global gateway to the UK.

"The aim is to create a modern business destination that makes full use of infrastructure already in place and the majority of workers and visitors will not drive to Airport City - instead they will walk, cycle, take a tram, bus, train or a plane."

The outline planning application has been submitted to Manchester City Council and follows public consultations carried out in the local area by MAG.