Enterprise zone set for take-off

Manchester Airport has been named as one of the first four Enterprise Zones, with Airport City at the core of the Coalition Government’s new strategy for business.

Enterprise Zones — 21 are envisaged to be created — are expected to stimulate economic growth and employment.

Phase One of the airport development will now go out for public consultation, according to Charlie Cornish, chief executive of the Manchester Airports Group.

He added: “This is a significant achievement for the Greater Manchester region and an exciting opportunity to move forward with the Airport City proposal with the potential to create more than 7,000 jobs.”

Mr Cornish said the airport board would be working In partnership with stakeholders — one of which is Oldham Council which owns 5 per cent of the airport business — to progress the project immediately.

MAG Developments, the property development arm of the group, has been working on the masterplan for the site.

John Atkins, managing director of MAG Developments, said: “We are preparing for a start on site early in 2012. The designation of the Airport City as an Enterprise Zone underlined the importance of making quick progress.”

Located on land between the airport and Wythenshawe, to the north of the airport, the first phase will connect the initial development close to the airport with a wider set of opportunities within Wythenshawe.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “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.”

Businesses expected to seek to locate at Airport City include logistics, freight forwarders, advanced manufacturers, those seeking high-quality office accommodation, research and development, health-related uses to build on the proximity to Wythenshawe Hospital as a centre of excellence, hotels and leisure uses.

As announced in the Budget last month, the Enterprise Zones are expected to benefit from a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five-year period, while all business rate growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be shared and retained by the local area, to ensure that Enterprise Zone growth is reinvested locally.