PLANS have been drawn up for a £100m development on Manchester Airport Enterprise Zone land on the ‘doorstep’ of Hale Barns – and residents fear it will cause traffic chaos and ruin Green Belt countryside.

But developers MAG Developments claim the planned 112,000 sq m ‘World Logistics Hub’ will create 1,800 jobs over 15 years and insist traffic and environmental issues will be addressed.

The logistics hub - cargo space for freight companies - will be located on land near the airport’s World Freight Terminal – at the junction of the A538 and Sunbank Lane, Ringway, including threatened Oak Farm.

There will be nearly 1,500 car parking spaces provided.

This land was released from the Green Belt last month.

But members of Ringway Parish Council claim it will have a devastating impact on Ringway and Hale Barns, and cause major traffic congestion on the already busy Hale Road, through Hale Barns.

Parish council chairman Audrey O’Donovan said: “This is another encroachment on the Green Belt and we are so upset about it, because this is a lovely little enclave.”

Hale Barns resident Tony Woolf also fears the traffic impact of the proposed development.

Tony, who led a high-profile campaign against plans to develop the Square shopping centre in the village, said: “Hale Road is already a very busy road – it was shown during the Square episode that it was close to capacity.

“Hale Road will be subject to gridlock and residential roads such as Chapel Lane will also be seriously affected.

“This is on our doorstep and yet no-one in Trafford seems to know anything about it.”

But airport bosses point out that there will be motorway, junction and other road improvements to cope with the extra traffic, and the site is well served by public transport.

There will be nearly 15 hectares of new landscaped areas and habitats surrounding the site, which will link with the airport’s existing habitat management area, to “ultimately create a network of rich and varied natural habitats extending to 450 hectares.”

John Twigg, planning director at Manchester Airport, said: “The scheme will deliver a world-class sustainable facility in a uniquely well-connected location to attract businesses to the area, which given the current economic climate will generate much-needed economic growth, along with a range of new employment opportunities for local people.

“Having received and considered all relevant comments as part of our own consultation exercise, we have submitted an outline planning application to Manchester City Council.”

The World Logistics Hub is earmarked as the first of a ‘cluster’ of major developments in the Enterprise Zone.

Ringway Parish Council is aiming to set up an action committee. Its chairman Audrey O’Donovan can be contacted on 0161 928 0320 or 0772 9328575 and clerk Chris Cassidy on 07984 102 070.