Work on Greater Manchester’s Airport City Enterprise Zone could lead to a major regeneration of Wythenshawe town centre in South Manchester.
Plans submitted to Manchester city council’s executive also suggest the local authority should renegotiate the Wythenshawe town centre contract it operates in partnership with developer St Modwen.
The council is a large freeholder in Wythenshawe town centre and the report, drawn up by Drivers Jonas Deloitte, says it should vary and extend the 99-year lease deal the pair signed in 1996.
A new deal would allow the council to work comprehensively with St Modwen on the proposed town centre regeneration.
The document claims there is a near-term opportunity for more than 250,000 sq ft of office space in Wythenshawe, aimed at data centres, back office, food service and support services occupiers.
The plans also include more than 100,000 sq ft of shops, including a new anchor food store on the existing Wythenshawe bus station site, as well as more than 15,000 sq ft of hotel and leisure schemes.
The report also includes a framework document for the proposed Medipark scheme between Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe.
Manchester Medipark is a campus aimed at attracting bioscience, healthcare and related manufacturing and production firms, based around University Hospital South Manchester Foundation Trust.
The first phase of development will be around 25 acres and when complete.
simon.binns@estatesgazette.com
