5.4.2008

Manchester Airport to become "Mini City"

Plans to turn Manchester airport into a “mini city” have recently been revealed. The Manchester Airport Group Developments Ltd announced at a property convention in Cannes that the purchase of 30 acres of land from the Burford Group had been agreed at a cost in excess of £15 million. This land purchase was described as the “last piece in the jigsaw” for the ambitious plans to become a reality.

The Airport City will provide, in combination with the council-owned Manchester Business Park, all manner of facilities on the two million square feet site including retail, leisure and entertainment outlets, manufacturing and commercial premises, hotel and conference facilities, as well as increased runway capacity and extended terminals and cargo facilities.

Approximately five thousand jobs are likely to be created over the next ten to fifteen years which will come as welcome news as nationwide unemployment tips the 2 million mark.

The chief executive of Manchester City Council has brushed aside concerns that this is perhapsnot the best of times to be contemplating such a development, saying that the current downturn in passenger numbers due to the economic situation is a “blip” and that it is imperative to look to the future. Passenger numbers at Manchester are predicted to rise to 50 million by 2030.

Planners have been looking at Barcelona, Amsterdam and Copenhagen airports as possible blueprints for the new Airport City at Manchester.