The completion of the M60 Manchester orbital motorway, which opened this week, is not a signal for large-scale warehouse development in east Manchester, local council leaders have warned.
Senior councillors and officials are to increase pressure on developers to create high-value jobs in offices and business parks, in the face of expectations that the orbital motorway – already dubbed the M25 of the North – will open the floodgates to property investment in the under-utilised east Manchester area.
The calls come as preparations begin for a review of Tameside’s unitary development plan (UDP) next year. Councillor Keiran Quinn, Tameside cabinet member for economic development, said: “We are not looking for many more warehouses but we are looking for quality jobs. You have to aim high to hit high, and we are not looking for anyone who just wants a distribution point on a motorway junction. Our aim is to raise standards, both in income and training.”
Arrowcroft Northwest’s plans for a 25.4ha (63-acre) Waterside Park at Denton, close to junction 24, are central to redevelopment in East Manchester, say council leaders. A planning inquiry into the business park was held last year and a decision by the Deputy Prime Minister is expected soon.
But the policy of aiming high could also mean pressure to develop offices at Amec Development’s Ashton Moss site. Developed in partnership with Stayley Developments, Amec has planning permission for retail, leisure and up to 1m sq ft (92,000 sq m) of industrial and distribution at the 58ha (143-acre) site.
The Tameside UDP is likely to bring forward plans for business park development at the so-called Aud 4, south of junction 23 on the M60 motorway. The 5.2ha (13-acre) site to the north east of Audenshaw includes cleared land, derelict railway land, under-used open land and a scrap yard. But councillors hope its links to the canal network and its visibility could attract a top-quality development.
Market observers say pressure is still strong from the industrial sector. Rob Trevor, associate director at Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “In the east Manchester area, particularly Tameside, we should expect to see increased levels of demand with the opening of the M60 and also as a result of the current lack of industrial land in south Manchester.”
”East Manchester now looks very good value in comparison to the more expensive Trafford Park, south Manchester and Warrington locations.”
EGi News 01/11/00
