Cheap appointed to head up Northern Gateway MDC
Having left Avison Young after almost a quarter of a century last year, Chris Cheap’s new role will see him lead an organisation set up to oversee the development of 12m sq ft of employment space and 3,000 homes on around 1,600 acres across Bury and Rochdale.
Northern Gateway is located close to the M60, M62 and M66 and is by some distance the largest of three allocations within the wider Atom Valley cluster, which also includes Stakehill in Oldham and Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.
As managing director of the Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation, it will be Cheap’s job to ensure that the site’s potential as a globally significant hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation is realised by unlocking development, attracting occupiers, and creating jobs.
“The potential of Northern Gateway is unquestionable, and I am excited to join the team at a really important moment in realising it,” he said.
“I have been impressed how all of the key stakeholders are focussed on delivering meaningful commercial outputs which will leave a long-lasting legacy for Greater Manchester communities whilst also having a national and international impact.”
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority sees the Northern Gateway as the engine to drive economic development in GM’s northern boroughs. GMCA is targeting 20,000 new jobs and £1.1bn growth for its economy over the next 20 years.
A joint venture between Russell LDP and Harworth is already progressing plans for 6.5m sq ft of employment space across its land holdings at Northern Gateway.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig added: “I’m determined to create good growth, with jobs and opportunity for every bit of Greater Manchester. Our Mayoral Development Corporations are turning ambition into action.
“They get development moving much faster – by aligning land, infrastructure, investment and decision-making so complex projects can be delivered at pace and at scale.
“Northern Gateway is no different. Alongside housing and infrastructure, its focus on advanced manufacturing and innovation means it’s set to be significant not just for Greater Manchester, but for the country too.”
With high hopes pinned to Northern Gateway to provide a sizeable boost to the North Manchester economy, Cheap is under no illusions as to the scale of the task at hand.
“Meeting the ambition that we collectively have for Northern Gateway will take careful navigation of the very real complexities of delivering development and cohesive collaboration across both the public and private sector,” Cheap added.
“The MDC will play a pivotal role in this and I am pleased to bring my extensive real estate experience and leadership to the team.”
