Ask snaps up prime airport-adjacent site for £30m industrial
A 7.8-acre plot at Manchester Business Park off Aviator Way could soon be home to a 114,000 sq ft multi-let scheme.
Ask Real Estate has acquired the development plot opposite Manchester Airport from Advanced Research Clusters, an entity connected to Arlington, the original developer of Manchester Business Park.
Ask is now drawing up plans to build nine industrial units on the last remaining plot at the complex, targeting BREEAM “Excellent” and EPC A ratings.
The site benefits from outline permission secured by Arlington in 2019 for 140,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace. It is located close to Mix Manchester, a 60-acre, £1bn manufacturing and R&D hub.
“The South Manchester market is under supplied, particularly in the small to mid-sized sector of the logistics market,” said Ask managing director John Hughes.
“These new facilities will deliver much-needed space to complement the tech and R&D spaces being developed at MIX Manchester.”
Ask will undertake a public consultation on its updated plans this autumn and aims to submit a planning application for the proposed development in Q4. Subject to approval, work could start next year and complete by summer 2027.
“This is a prime location for developing high quality logistics and industrial facilities which will have exemplary sustainability credentials and superb connectivity through the airport and adjacent motorway networks,” Hughes added.
Seems an odd location for sheds given decent offices all around.
By Anonymous
This site has lain underdeveloped for more than 25 years. Put bluntly – the Manchester Business Park has failed to expand in a very challenging south (and wider) Manchester Office Market.
So whilst there may be “decent offices” around it there is zero chance of new ones being built without significant public sector support (and yes that applies to the Manchester Mix site as well).
So diversifying the uses of such sites away from offices makes a lot of sense especially if Ask Real Estate have demonstrated a demand for such space.
By Anonymous
I don’t think it is very difficult to demonstrate demand for sheds in proximity to an international airport. The comment about it being an odd location should be, is it an appropriate location for sheds? Whether or not the office market is on its knees doesn’t mean to given up every office site. That’s the whole point of long term planning. Also traffic around there is a total nightmare and dropping in uses that may bring heavy traffic load or articulated vehicles to the area isn’t going to help.
By Anonymous
I keep hoping Manchester Airport will build an Aviation Museum in the vicinity. Still can’t believe the MoSI let all that heritage go.
By Peter Chapman
Peter, the Runway Visitors park is a good start. It would be good to see it get a boost of funding and exhibits.
By Anonymous
Have you asked the people who live near there?
By Ann Barlow