£1bn MIX Manchester plans awaiting take-off

Members of the public and other stakeholders have been offered the chance to give their views on Manchester Airport’s 2m sq ft multi-use science and innovation campus.

The 60-acre site’s 10-year masterplan, developed by Sheppard Robson, aims to be the “UK’s best-connected science and innovation destination”, according to a press release.

It will be situated just 400 metres north of Manchester Airport, between the M56 and Enterprise Way.

According to MIX Manchester, the gross development value of the project is in excess of £1bn.

The Manufacturing Innovation Exchange, known as MIX Manchester has commenced an eight-week public consultation period, with the deadline for comment submission on 8 October.

The link for the consultation can be found at: mix-manchester.com/consultation.

Medium scale manufacturing units are part of the plans. Credit: Inform Comms

The partnership behind MIX Manchester includes Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, Manchester Airports Group, Beijing Construction Engineering Group International, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

Previously called Airport City, the site has long been seen as a key regeneration area due to its proximity to an international gateway.

It has the potential space for between 50,000 sq ft ­­– 500,000 sq ft of both large and medium-scale advanced manufacturing facilities, as well as up to 100,000 sq ft for R&D and offices.

The project’s uses will be diverse, creating up to 8,000 jobs for various sectors such as manufacturing, research, and development, as well as office space, hotels, and other leisure facilities.

£30m of joint venture capital has already been invested in highways and utilities infrastructure meaning that MIX is a ‘shovel-ready’ site.

JLL and Track Real Estates are the agents for the project.

Gareth Jackson, group property director at Manchester Airports Group, said he was looking forward to “engage with the wider community” and to “ensure plans are well-designed to meet local needs.”

Opinions and concerns of the project, will be folded into the SRF, prepared by planning consultant CBRE, to be resubmitted for the council’s approval.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “The campus will create thousands of jobs and supports the ongoing regeneration of our communities in Wythenshawe, as well as cementing Manchester’s place as a leader in innovation on a global scale.”

The draft SRF was approved by Manchester City Council’s executive committee on 24 July.

In-person events discussing the project are to be held at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre on Portway in Wythenshawe on 9 September from 9:30am – 2:30pm and 17 September from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.