Manchester Airport plan threatens 400-year-old cottage

2.10.2008   (Manchester Evening News)

by Paul R Taylor

PLANS to bulldoze a 400-year-old cottage and build two cargo warehouses at Manchester
airport have been  described as  `cultural barbarism’.

Airport bosses want to build a £20m extension to the freight terminal on land
off Runger Lane, Wythenshawe.

They have applied for permission to demolish Grade II-listed Rose Cottage and
three other historic properties nearby, as well as a natural pond and dozens of
mature trees.  The cottages’ historical features would be salvaged and stored.

The plans  have been condemned by residents, councillors and historians.   They
were rejected by the Wythenshawe area committee but will go before town hall planners
later this month.

Anthony Lowe lives in Rose Cottage on Hasty Lane with his wife, Jaime and son
Oliver.

Anthony, 36, said:   “The plans are a disgrace. We rent the cottage from the airport
but when we moved in it was practically derelict. We have spent more than £4,000
redecorating it.”

Lib Dem councillor Martin Eakins, said:   “The application is nothing short of
cultural barbarism. To bulldoze such a beautifully maintained historic dwelling
would have been heartbreaking.”

The airport forecasts cargo using its World Freight Centre will increase from
the current 166,000 tonnes to more than 271,000 tonnes by 2015.

They say both units, measuring 196,000sq ft and 50,000sq ft, would create 60
jobs.

The extension is part of the airport’s massive expansion programme between now
and 2030, enabling it to cope with 50m passengers a year and a huge amount of
freight.



A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said it would not be appropriate to comment
on the proposals at this stage.

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UPSET Jaime and Oliver Lowe outside cottage

UPSET Jaime and Oliver Lowe outside cottage