SEMA comment on Chinese investment in Airport City announcement

P-AIRPORT LINK_ITV2000_Vimeo from Granada Reports on Vimeo.

Responding to today's announcement that a Chinese construction firm will be involved in the Airport City scheme, Robbie Gillett from Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport commented:

"Today's announcement is about pouring money into businesses that are reliant on aviation expanding from Manchester Airport, which depends on burning more and more fossil fuels pushing us closer towards a dangerous climate scenario.  We should look beyond today's headline figures to ask: What sort of economy do we want to build?  One that relies on a carbon-intensive business model where we fly goods and services back and forth across the globe?  Or one where we create new jobs in a green industries, in sustainable transport and renewable energy to power a re-localised economy?

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Below's text from the Manchester Evening News - 13th October 2013

A Chinese construction company was today confirmed as part of the group that will develop an £800m business park next to Manchester Airport.

The Beijing Construction Engineering Group is involved in the joint-venture that will bring the Airport City scheme to reality over the next 12 years.

It is teaming-up with Manchester Airports Group, the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and UK construction firm Carillion to invest in the project, which aims to create up to 16,000 jobs.

Over the coming years, they will build a series of office blocks, logistics hubs, hotels and warehouses that will be filled by global companies lured to the region.

Property develop Argent, which is behind the One St Peter's Square scheme in Manchester city centre and led the revamp of London's Kings Cross station, has been appointed development manager.

The deal was announced by chancellor George Osborne during a special visit to Beijing today.  It also marks the Far East launch of the Manchester-China Forum, which aims to boost trade links between the two locations.  And it is hoped securing Chinese investment into the region will go a long way towards encouraging airlines to launch a direct service between Manchester and the Far East.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of MAG, said: “We are delighted to confirm organisations of global standing as our joint venture partners.

“The inclusion of BCEG is significant because as a Group, we have been keen to forge greater links with the Far East and this gives us an opportunity to strengthen vital business links with China.

“With GMPF on board, Greater Manchester is investing in the future of the north west and Carillion bring sector-leading experience in project finance, delivery and sustainability, both in the UK and internationally.

“In Argent, we have the one of the most renowned developers in its field and by working together as a partnership, we are well positioned to deliver the UK’s first Airport City.”

The joint-venture sees MAG take a 50 per cent stake, BCEG a 20 per cent stake, Carillion a 20 per cent stake and the GMPF a 10 per cent stake.

The J-V partners will then look to build offices, warehouses, hotels and manufacturing plants for specific tenants and then sell those sites on for profit once they are up-and-running.

Airport City sits at the hear of Greater Manchester's Enterprise Zone, which means companies choosing to locate there can benefit from business rate reductions and other perks.

Peter Johnson leaves Hasty Lane

Having fought to save his family home for more than five years, Peter Johnson has finally been forced to leave Hasty Lane.  Manchester Airport plans to demolish two properties at the site near Hale Barns to build more freight sheds - after receiving planning permission in 2009.  As the Manchester Evening News reported however, Pete left on his own terms, refusing to give back the keys to the Airport, who own both properties, until he had completed the large task of moving all his contents out.  Peter vacated the premises in May 2013.

He said, "Without all the support of family, friends, groups like SEMA and all the other interested parties, I couldn't have hoped to resist what I still see as a criminal act, for as long as I did.  People will have to judge those responsible when we have no green areas left, and our lives are dictated by politicians and business for their narrow and selfish interests only. We allow that to continue at our peril."

Meanwhile, the Airport has begun felling trees at Sunbank Lane to make way for the World Logistics Hub.  Manchester Airports Group also made their submission to the Davies Commission into national aviation capacity.  More updates coming soon.

Airport City North: planning application submitted

from BBC News Manchester

Airport City North plans submitted

(Nb: these plans were approved on 17th Jan 2013)

Plans for a £650m business park at Manchester Airport have been submitted.

Developers MAG said Airport City Manchester will include office space, hotels and manufacturing centres and will create 11,400 jobs.

Manchester Airport's parent company plans to build the park on 65 acres of scrub land near the M56 and Woodhouse Park in Wythenshawe.

It is in the new Manchester Enterprise Zone - one of four in the country - set up by the government.

Enterprise zones were created to offer business rate discounts, simplified planning and access to super-fast broadband in order to boost economic growth.

MAG hopes the development will attract inward investment and bring job opportunities to the people of Wythenshawe.

'Economic hub'

At the centre of the proposal is a new 13-acre central park, surrounded by buildings and public areas.

MAG's Airport City director, John Atkins, said: "Airport City will attract investment from international businesses and become a catalyst for the wider long term regeneration of Wythenshawe, with the creation of thousands of new jobs.

"It brings a world-class commercial product that is sustainable and innovative to the UK for the first time - this presents Manchester with a unique opportunity to add to its offer as a major European business city and will enhance the airport's reputation as an economic hub and a global gateway to the UK.

"The aim is to create a modern business destination that makes full use of infrastructure already in place and the majority of workers and visitors will not drive to Airport City - instead they will walk, cycle, take a tram, bus, train or a plane."

The outline planning application has been submitted to Manchester City Council and follows public consultations carried out in the local area by MAG.

Manchester City Council approve plans for 'World Logistics Hub'

 Manchester City Council have approved the outline planning application for the 'World Logistics Hub' at Manchester Airport. The decision was made by eleven City Councillors of the Highways and Planning Committee meeting on Thursday 22^nd November 2012.

At the meeting a local resident and representatives of Ringway Parish Council addressed the Committee to object to the plans. They raised concerns on a number of issues, from loss of greenspace to increased traffic and noise pollution in the area. Prior to the meeting 106 letters of objection had been written to the Planning Department.  Despite these concerns, the Councillors made the decision to approve the plans, as well as over 800 signatures on an online petition.

In a message sent after the meeting, Audrey O'Donovan, Chair of Ringway Parish Council said, "It fell on deaf ears, the application was approved and the warehouses and car parking spaces will be built on our beautiful 90 acres of countryside. Save Sunbank and Ringway Parish Council did absolutely everything we could to try and stop this and our core group worked extremely hard, digging for information, writing letters, leaflet dropping, talking to the press, talking to Manchester Radio".

The main issue raised by a member of the Committee was from Councillor John Flanagan, who expressed concern about the potential traffic impact around Sunbank Lane. In response to this point, the Committee decided to authorise the Head of Planning "to amend and add to the conditions where necessary", for example to put in place conditions on maintenance of the ecology mitigation zone, or on traffic restrictions.

No comment was made by the Committee on the increase in carbon emissions from an expanding Airport.

Show of opposition at Planning and Highways Committee meeting - Thursday 22nd November 2012

Thursday 22nd November 2012

Meet at 1.30pm, outside Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square (under the large Santa Claus), M60 2LA

Please join us at Manchester City Council’s Highways and Planning Committee meeting next Thursday, for a show of opposition against the latest expansion plans at Manchester Airport.

In this meeting the final decision will be made on the application for a ‘World Logistics Hub’, which would involve the construction of 43 warehouses and almost 1,500 car parking spaces on 90 acres of former greenbelt land.

Click here for more information on the World Logistics Hub application

We will gather at 1.30pm outside Manchester Town Hall. The meeting will begin at 2pm, in the Banqueting Room, Level 2, Town Hall. 

More information on the meeting and the application is available on the Manchester City Council website. 

You can still submit a letter of objection up to the day of the Committee. Email:d.lawless@manchester.gov.uk. You should quote the planning application number 100263/OO/2012/S2.

Save Sunbank! Wildlife Walk

On Saturday 3^rd November around 100 local residents and campaigners took part in a protest walk against the proposed World Logistics Hub at Manchester Airport. The protesters braved the cold to take a route around the 90 acre former greenbelt site, which is threatened by the plans to build 43 cargo sheds and almost 1,500 car parking spaces.

Local residents, wildlife enthusiasts and environmental campaigners spoke at various points along the walk, sharing their experiences of fighting Manchester Airport expansion and highlighting the numerous ways that the plans would affect local people and the environment.

The Wildlife Walk came the week after the Wythenshawe Area Committee‘recommended for approval’ the World Logistics Hub plans, on the 25^th October.  The application will now be sent to the Planning and Highways Committee at Manchester City Council for a final decision on 22nd November 2012. A number of attendees at the Wildlife Walk, keen for their concerns to be brought to this Committee, pledged to attend this November meeting at Manchester Town Hall.

Several Councillors of the Wythenshawe Area Committee backed the Logistics Hub plans based on the Airport's promises of local job opportunities. However campaigners argue that job creation figures proposed by the Airport are inflated.

Jane Beetson from 'Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport' campaign  said “When Manchester Airport first announced plans for a second runway, they claimed 50,000 jobs would be created.  No-where near that number of jobs materialised.  Just like then, they are misleading the public now.”

She added, “Local Councillors say they will force the Airport to give jobs to local people but in practice they will have no way of enforcing this on the firms that move into the new office and warehouse spaces.  We need to create green jobs in sustainable industries not dirty aviation.” 

The Wildlife Walk was also an opportunity for wildlife experts to explain that Airport's promises of preserving wildlife are also unrealistic, and that creating a 'mitigation zone' is no substitution for leaving habitats untouched.

Along the route, campaigners encountered the threatened habitats of numerous plant and animal species. Several mature oak trees line Sunbank Lane, providing nesting opportunities for rare birds, and potential roosting spots for endangered bat species. The site is also home to 12 ponds occupied by Great Crested Newts, an endangered species found only in the North West of England. Walkers were also able to spot signs of protected animals for example badger snuffle holes and mole hills in the green space around Sunbank.

Manchester Mule coverage here.

Manchester Evening News coverage here.

World Logistics Hub planning application to be discussed at Wythenshawe Area Committee - 25th October 2012

Manchester Airport's planning application for a World Logistics Hub will be discussed at the Wythenshawe Area Committee meeting this Thursday 25th October 2012. The agenda can be downloaded from Manchester Council's website:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/1762/wythenshawe_area_committee

The meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm and is open to members of the public and we encourage people to attend. It will be held at:
The Wythenshawe Forum
Forum Square
Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 5RX

As we understand things, the decision on the planning application will not be taken by the Wythenshawe Area Committee.  However, comments from the meeting will be taken to the Planning and Highways Committee meeting on 22nd November 2012 at Manchester City Council.  This committee will decide on the planning application.

There was also this note on Page 14 of the application. "The Highways Agency are currently reviewing the submitted documentation and as such have served an Article 14 notice on the City Council which prevents the application being determined before 5th November 2012."

Residents begin fightback against World Logistics Hub

Click here to sign the petition against the World Logistics Hub

On Wednesday 5^th September Ringway Parish Council members were joined by members of the A556 Lobby Group, campaigners from SEMA and over 80 local residents to voice their opposition to the recent planning application submitted by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) which, if successful "would see 90 acres of former greenbelt land wiped out in favour of 43 cargo warehouses and almost 1,500 car parking spaces".

For many residents in attendance, who felt that they had not been involved in the consultation process, the meeting was their first opportunity to learn about the Airport’s plans. It was also an opportunity to debunk the Airport’s claim that the expansion would create employment in the area.

Audrey O'Donovan, Chairman of Ringway Parish Council said:
 "The Airport claim new jobs will be created. However, many of these jobs will not be 'new' but simply 'displaced' as existing firms re-locate from other areas of Greater Manchester to take advantage of the cheap business rates on offer."

Members of the A556 Lobby Group explained that the recent planning application has shed light on how the Airport’s plans fit in to a broader picture of development in the area.

Matt Parkinson, who attended the meeting, said "We have long suspected that the proposed A556 bypass has more to do with facilitating Government plans for the massive expansion of Manchester Airport, than to provide an "environmental improvement" to the people living alongside the current A556.

"We expressed our concerns that the developments around Manchester Airport are being brought to the public's attention piecemeal, these will affect a much wider surrounding area ultimately engulfing significant parts of Cheshire into the planned "Airport City" and supporting infrastructure”.

The meeting was an opportunity for different groups to come together in their opposition, and there was a strong feeling that the struggles of local residents and campaigners must be united.

"We feel the time has come for all local groups fighting to save their villages, countryside and way of life to join together, to realise the bigger picture and to oppose the notion of 'growth' at any cost. We believe the vast majority of people would prefer to see targeted investment in sustainability in order to create jobs which genuinely benefit society, human well-being and our environment rather than local MP, George Osborne's obsession with growth for growths sake."

There was even a message of solidarity from across the channel, from campaigners at the ZAD, (Zone A Defendre, meaning ‘Zone to Defend’), near Nantes in France, who have been opposing a massive airport project for over 40 years:

"We want to send a message of solidarity to those standing up to airport expansion in Manchester and let you know that there are many communities worldwide involved in the same struggle. Together, we can learn from each others experiences and be part of a movement  fighting not just against useless and destructive projects but for a world where we're not ruled by profit and where communties are able to take control of their lives".

Click here to sign the petition against the World Logistics Hub

Manchester Airport unveils plans to concrete former greenbelt land with 'World Logistics Hub'

Manchester Airport has announced plans to concrete over former greenbelt land around Sunbank Lane to make way for a 'World Logistics Hub'.  The area is currently home to residential houses and greenfields and also borders onto Cotterill Clough - a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Proposals to build on former greenbelt land

The plans involve the construction of around 43 warehouses and office units of various sizes on land adjacent to the A538, as well as 1,473 carparking spaces, 134 bike parking spaces and a re-landscaped green zone.   The plans form part of the wider Airport City Enterprise Zone.  More details can be found here: http://www.airportcity.co.uk/master-plan/world-logistics-hub/#

The Airport 'anticipate' that 1800 jobs will be created over a 15 year period.  However, a report on the wider Airport City proposals in Autumn 2011 by the Campaign to Protect Rural England found that many of these job creation projections actually involved displacing pre-existing jobs from elsewhere in Manchester, as firms relocate to take advantage of the cheap business rates on offer.

The land around Sunbank Lane was recently taken out of the Greenbelt in Manchester City Council's 'Core Strategy' which was approved in July 2012.  Many residents say they were not informed or consulted of these plans.  Audrey O'Donovan said,  "As a resident and chairman of Ringway Parish Council I am appalled at the lack of consultation by Manchester Airport when removing Oak Farm and surrounding area out of the green belt and changing the planning status enabling them to once again encroach on our countryside. All in the name of so called progress. What concerns me is the World Logistics Hub as they have called this latest expansion will expand to the other side of the A538 spreading their operations still further into our very small Parish of Ringway."

Plans for a World Logistics Hub to the south west of Manchester Airport

The Airport have published an 'informal' consultation document with images of the plans.   They say they intend to submit a formal planning application to Manchester City Council at some point in August 2012.  Objectors will have 21 days of formal consultation period to submit their views upon registration of the application.

A view of the area as it is now

Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport organised a 'Biodiversity Walk' around the affected site in May 2010.  Shortly after local activists blockaded the current World Freight Centre and staged an airside protest around the wheel of Monarch Airline jet against plans to expand the airport and demolish local homes. 

Airport City - against and for

From Manchester Climate Monthly:

http://manchesterclimatemonthly.net/2012/01/20/airport-city-against-and-for/

Last week, accompanied by a certain amount of civic boosterism (always in short supply in Manchester), the £659 million “Airport City” project got the go-ahead. It will, in essence, be a whole wodge of offices, call centres, logistics centres and the like around t’Airport. Will it suck money and businesses from elsewhere in a beggar-thy-neighbour manner, or generate ‘new revenue streams’? That’s for the economists to discuss. We at Manchester Climate Monthly were more interested in what various “green” groups thought of it – and, crucially – what they wanted their members and supporters to do about it. And, for the sake of some new-fangled thing called “journalistic balance,” we’ve also asked the Liberal Democrats, the Airport and Manchester City Council (55% owners thereof) for statements on how a whopping big business park predicated on flying is consistent with a ‘low-carbon Manchester’. Read on!!

First, we asked various green groups “Is the proposed development of “Airport City” consistent with a low carbon Manchester?” You will be shocked, shocked to find that they thought “no.” Stop Expansion at Manchester Airport (the clue is in the name) told us “the scheme plans to attract businesses that will ‘serve the growing demand at the Airport’ – thus coupling economic growth with rising carbon emissions from flights. It is mistake to tie prosperity creation to high carbon industries like aviation.
Secondly, 80% of trips to the Airport today are made by car – so creating more activity at the Airport will lead to an increase in car emissions. The major transport addition in the plans is the controversial SEMMMS road link (South East Manchester Multi Modal Study) – which will cause a rise in road emissions.
Thirdly, the Airport City scheme plans to build on Green Belt areas – which is not consistent with a low carbon, green vision of Manchester.”

The Manchester Green Party told us “Anything which increases the role of the Airport and which encourages air travel will make it much harder for Manchester council to achieve its carbon reduction target” and pointed us to their website article posted after we contacted them.

Second up, we asked them, if they didn’t think it was consistent, then “what actions is your organisation taking/encouraging its members to take?”

SEMA said “The Airport City scheme has already been approved from on-high by the Chancellor George Osbourne. Within this scenario we need to limit the damage the scheme will cause as it goes ahead. Along with other groups, we have urged the Council that the scheme is carried forward in a way that doesn’t compete with other economic areas in the Manchester region – and that the SEMMMS road is not given planning permission. People should voice their disapproval of the SEMMMS road to the Manchester and Stockport Councils directly. “

The Green Party said “I think it’s safe to say that Manchester Green Party will never support this Zone by opening an office there, in spite of the low taxes. More seriously we will campaign against this and similar proposals in our role as a political Party within and alongside electoral politics.”

The Manchester Liberal Demcrats favour the project. Councillor Marc Ramsbottom, leader of the Opposition stated that his party “fully welcomed Airport City and are delighted that the Coalition Government have made the project possible. Airport City could create 13,000 jobs and help the regeneration of Wythenshawe; making Wythenshawe and Manchester more economically sustainable. The project is aiming to attract global businesses, and particularly those connected with the Aviation industry.”
He continued “I hope that this will encourage R&D to make aviation more environmentally friendly and Manchester Airport more sustainable. I also believe that the project is consistent with Manchester Airports objectives to cut down on Domestic flights, which I believe are unnecessary and one the major reasons the aviation industry can be so damaging.”

And here’s where their opponents will doubtless say they are wanting to have their cake and eat it: “Whilst Manchester Liberal Democrats support Manchester Airport as a key player in employment and growth in the North West, we believe it’s expansion (which Airport City is a part of) must be sustainable. We believe that there is an inconsistency between the government’s policy on CO2 emissions, and the government’s policy of airport expansion. These inconsistencies need resolving. We believe that the Council and Airport should set Carbon Reduction Targets based on 2005 levels. We believe a full cost benefit analysis should be done before any significant infrastructure development at the Airport.”

So, what do they think should be done?
* local people to benefit from the jobs created at Airport City.
* Council and developers to encourage R and D investment.
* Manchester Airport to continue to reduce the number of Domestic Flights.
* the Council to invest revenue generated from Airport City into schemes to reduce carbon and promote sustainability.
* The Council to include Airport City and Manchester Airport in the City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan so they can be part of a low carbon Manchester.
* the Council and Airport to set Carbon Reduction Targets based on 2005 levels.
* a full cost benefit analysis to be carried out.
* Airport City and Manchester Airport to be included in the City Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan

And now for the organisations who are usually quoted at the top of these sorts of opinion-scanning pieces.

Manchester City Council supplied the following;
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “Airport City, which will create an estimated 20,000 jobs in a wide variety of sectors, will be designed to the highest environmental standards possible and will be built with a series of green bridges ensuring that every part of its northern zone is within an eight minute walk from the airport’s bus and rail hub.
“Airport City will also be one of the best connected sites for public transport anywhere in the country, with a new Metrolink line currently being built to complement existing rail connections and planned and committed improvements to the road system.”

and the Airport press office gave us this;
John Atkins, Airport City Director for the Manchester Airports Group, said: “Airport City will be a central project for the Group over the next ten years and we will look to construct buildings that are low carbon in design. It’s a project that will have social cohesion and the local community of Wythenshawe at its heart. Alongside existing community initiatives, we will continue to support schemes that improve levels of skills, education and attainment while reducing unemployment locally and equipping local people to compete for new jobs on-site. The new Metrolink extension to the airport will also assist in the delivery of that objective.”

Other groups we asked
Manchester Campaign against Climate Change didn’t reply to two email requests.
Manchester Friends of the Earth were unable to provide a statement by our deadline.

Editorial: Who wants to be an Enemy of the People?
To understand what’s going on here, we need to turn to a 19^th century Norwegian playwright [Ed: er is this right?] Henrik Ibsen wrote a play called “An Enemy of the People.” Its main character is a beloved town doctor who has brought people into the world, treated their illnesses, reduced their pain as they die. Everyone loves him. Then he makes a mistake: he analyses the actual quality of the water at the town’s famous spa, which earns huge revenues from visitors coming from all over Europe. Worse, he lacks the common sense and decency to keep schtum about the fact that the water is quite the opposite of healthy…

For over 100 years Manchester was about export and innovation. After the decline of the 70s and 80s, a ‘renaissance’ has taken place (for some) around inward investment, of which the Airport is perceived to be a crucial component. And woe betide anyone who says the waters aren’t healthy. But then again, also woe betide anyone who grumps about the waters without doing work on what else people are going to drink…

Manchester Airport to become ‘mini-city’

contrails
Originally uploaded by RoseBridger

Manchester Airport Group has announced that Manchester Airport is to be transformed into a ‘mini-city’ with hotels, leisure, entertainment and conference facilities, along with yet more retail outlets. There will be more cargo and logistics facilities like warehouses, and possibly manufacturing. The Airport has purchased 30 acres from Burford Group, a property firm, at a cost of more than £15 million, for development, which will also extend into the surrounding area.

So, what will all these diverse elements have in common? Manchester Airport City is based on established airport centric developments including Schiphol in the Netherlands, where the airport city concept expands the airport’s role as a gigantic landlord. If this is the model for Manchester Airport City, the new facilities will generate revenues for the airport, in the way as the existing retail and car parking facilities. This keeps the landing and navigations fees down for the airlines. The revenues also help fund further aviation infrastructure growth, such as terminals and runways. Tenants are chosen to boost the airport’s passenger numbers and cargo volumes.

Airports around the world aspire to Schiphol Airport’s role as a gigantic landlord, generating 75 per cent of its revenues from non-aeronautical activities. In addition to what the aviation industry sometimes refers to as ‘airport support community’ of related industries, airports around the world generate revenues from a bewildering range of seemingly unrelated functions. This encompasses golf courses (compatible with airports as the grass can be controlled to minimise wildlife and the risk of bird strikes), museums, theme parks and even what might be thought of as civic functions like schools and hospitals. Even though the facilities form part of the airport’s revenue stream, they can be outside the airport fence and appear to be part of the host community.

If Manchester’s ‘airport city’ plans are similar to others around the world, this development could be central to the airport’s growth plans and future financial viability. According to the Manchester Airports Group, the development of Manchester Airport City will help the airport meet its goals of doubling passenger numbers to more than 50 million per year by 2030, and increase cargo volumes from 166,500 tonnes in 2007 to 250,000 tonnes by 2015. Like many airports, Manchester Airport’s business is declining, with passenger numbers falling by nearly 4 per cent in 2008. Cargo volumes have plummeted month after month, with January 2008’s freight volumes 42 per cent less than January 2007.

News contributed by Rose Bridger