Company’s bid to build staff car park at airport
YET another car park is set to be built at Manchester Airport.
Proposals for a temporary 729space car park are recommended for approval at Manchester council’s planning committee today.
The e-commerce group behind the application, The Hut Group (THG), said it needs the extra capacity while construction work is ongoing at another car park on the site, as staff numbers continue to grow.
The company already employs some 1,230 people at the site, with that number expected to reach 5,000 following the opening of a new headquarters - and ultimately grow to 10,000.
They are asking for permission to operate for five years at the site, off Enterprise Way, to the north of the airport. Council officers are recommending that the committee approves the application, saying the company is an existing occupier at the airport, with plans to create far more jobs.
And they point to the three-metre high fence that would be built around the car park, which they say would reduce the noise impact on nearby residents.
But one resident said that to approve the new development would undermine the climate emergency that the town hall declared last year.
The resident writes: “Although in one of your numerous reports you state Manchester city council is committed to greener issues, it seems that where Manchester airport is concerned this does not count.”
The airport has seen a number of new car parks given the green light in recent months.
Last summer, a 2,700-space car park was approved by the council’s planning committee.
Cheshire East council also approved an 800-space car park for the airport in Styal last year.
Local councillors said that although they welcome THG’s investment in the area, they want to see proof that the company is recruiting locally.
They asked: “Where is the engagement with local schools, with Manchester College and with local councillors?”
Ward councillors also queried why the company behind the application wasn’t encouraging its employees to use public transport, according to planning documents.
In planning documents, officers point out that THG included a ‘travel plan’ which said it will promote car sharing and public transport services.