THE plans for the second phase of Manchester Airport’s ‘Airport City’ project have been submitted, and is to be located between the M56 spur road to the airport and Wythnshawe, if plans are approved.


The airport’s parent company M.A.G was granted planning permission for the first phase of the project, the World Logisitcs Hub — which is to be situated on the doorstep of Hale Barns — last month, despite huge public protest.


M.A.G bosses said the £650 million development, which will include offices, hotels, manufacturing outlest and leisure facilities, will create 11,400 jobs for the surrounding areas.


Plans for the redevelopment of the 65 acre area of land to the north of the airport’s terminals and railway station include 1.2 million sq ftt of offices, 530,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing space, around 1,300 new hotel beds and 62,000 sq ft of ancillary retail.


The centrepiece of the proposed development is a 13 acre central park surrounded by a ‘downtown district’ of new buildings, including shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, crèches, health and medical centres, dry cleaners, gym and leisure facilities.


M.A.G’s Airport City Director, John Atkins, said the development will attract investment from international businesses and as the UK’s first ‘airport city’, will enhance the region’s reputation globally.


He added: “We have been working on this project for six years, examining airport cities across the world and how Manchester can successfully apply the concept.


“The planning submission demonstrates the progress we have made in the past 12 months and is a major step forward towards starting work on site.”