Etihad sports health institute approved

Planning permission has been granted for an £18m Manchester Institute of Health & Performance in East Manchester.

The construction of the institute is part of the second phase of the Beswick community hub project, which has seen the development of a leisure centre, sixth form college and rugby pitch on land around Manchester City's Etihad football stadium.

Designed by AHR Architects, MIHP will be a multi-disciplinary diagnostic, education, research and development facility, next to the recently opened City Football Academy on the Etihad campus.

The development is being funded by a partnership team made up of Manchester City Council, City Football Group and Sport England.

MIHP will be operated by Hospital Corporation of America, the private healthcare company which manages facilities including 52 Alderley Road in Wilmslow, the Christie Clinic at Withington's Christie Hospital and the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health in London.

The English Institute of Sport, which provides services to Manchester's elite athletes will operate from MIHP.

Preparatory work is starting on site and MIHP is scheduled to open in early 2016.

Dr Stephen McGregor, director of MIHP, said: "I am enormously grateful for the outstanding team collaboration and local support we have received to reach this point. Once completed, MIHP will be a facility for everyone; one which is aimed at improving people's well-being and lifestyle whatever their background or level of sporting achievement."