Aviva unveils revised plans for 400,000 sq ft Manchester industrial
The investor had proposals for a similar project at Atlas Business Park rejected by the city council in 2023 and has made a series of tweaks it hopes will see the refreshed scheme approved.
Aviva Investors has today unveiled updated plans for a 400,000 sq ft industrial development close to Manchester Airport on a the site of the former Ferranti electronics factory on the corner of Styal Road and Simonsway.
The original proposal was rejected as it encroached on the Green Belt. Manchester City Council also said Aviva has failed to prove that the five-unit development would not affect the “operational integrity or safety of Manchester Airport”.
The revised plans see the Green Belt element removed and the scheme nudged westwards to preserve the protected land.
As a result, the site of the proposed development now incorporates the vacant former Vodafone building, which would be demolished under Aviva’s plans. The plot is also slightly smaller this time around, measuring 19 acres compared to 23 under the original plans.
Aviva also states it has engaged with Manchester Airport when drawing up its refreshed proposals.
If approved, the scheme could generate an estimated £44m in GVA for Greater Manchester, according to Aviva.
A spokesperson for Aviva Investors said: “South Manchester continues to require high-quality employment and logistics space to support local businesses, jobs and economic growth.
“Our proposals will create new, high-quality jobs across a range of skill levels, supporting local people into employment, as well as delivering significant investment and economic growth to Manchester.”
Turley is advising on planning, heritage, strategic comms, and economics. Hale Architecture, BEA Landscape, and project manager Christopher Smith Associates are also advising.
I hope they will at least have green roofs or solar panels.
By Anonymous
@anonymous (July 08, 2026 at 12:01 pm) – ordinarily that’s a really good point – there are structural issues (which quickly becomes a cost issue) due to the added weight that such things add to the roof but, in this location specifically, there would likely be, I imagine, glint/glare concerns in relation to solar panels. The airport aren’t always in favour of things like green roofs either, due to their potential to increase the risk of bird strike.
In the context of the climate emergency, perhaps the reasonable conclusion is that more greenery and renewable energy outweighs the ability of the airport to continuing operating…
By Anonymous
Why does everything have to focus on either the City Centre or The Airport. Anyone would think that there are no other places in Manchester. Actually It’s time the Airport was reduced in size because of its environment impact
By Anonymous
Reduce the size of the airport? Ridiculous suggestion.
By Anonymous
Not short of parking then, eesh
By Anonymous
Surely that’s airport parking, given it’s near the airport?
By Anonymous
Surely there is an option to build this Development somewhere on the Trafford Park Industrial site where it is close to the Motorway network and public transport trains and Metrolink. Keep as much greenbelt as possible.
By Paul Griffiths
@Anonymous (July 08, 2026 at 3:55 pm) The parking shown is unrelated to this development, it’s the ‘JetParks Ringway’ car park for passengers of Manchester airport.
By Tom M
@ Anonymous 3.28pm – Reduce the size of the airport is the most absurd comment I’ve seen.
By Andee