Protest wildlife walk against the proposed World Logistics Hub at Manchester airport
Save Sunbank! Wildlife Walk
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.
Residents plan protest against £100m Manchester Airport World Logistics Hub
CONTROVERSIAL: An artist’s impression of the proposed World Logistics Hub at Manchester Airport
Hundreds of people are expected to gather near the proposed site on Saturday and take part in a protest with a difference – a wildlife walk.
The campaigners are furious at plans to build a ‘world-class’ cargo centre, which will form part of the £650m Airport City project and is expected to create more than 1,800 jobs.
They are objecting to it because they claim it could ruin their neighbourhood and destroy the surrounding countryside.
Now, they are planning to descend on the area for a family-friendly walk around the woodlands and fields earmarked for development.
They claim that the project could threaten animal and plant species, as well as increasing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
Airport bosses say the centre will house cargo space for freight companies, offering businesses unrivalled access to air and motorway links.
An outline planning application has already been submitted and it is thought that construction could begin before the end of the year.
Audrey O’Donovan, local resident and chair of Ringway Parish Council, said “The World Logistics Hub, should it get final approval, would result in serious loss of amenity and environmental damage for local people.
“The impact upon local wildlife and ecology would have serious consequences for the biodiversity of this area.”
The walkers will set off on their route – which will cover land in Altrincham and Hale – at 2pm and want as many people as possible to support them.
The cargo centre has been recommended for approval by councillors from the Wythenshawe Area Committee, subject to conditions, including access to footpaths and minimising noise levels.
The final decision is expected to be taken by Manchester council’s planning and highways committee next month.
Airport bosses say they hope it will create more than 1,800 permanent jobs over the next 10 to 15 years, in addition to construction posts.
It will form the southern part of the Airport City’s Enterprise Zone, which was unveiled by the government last March.
An airport spokesman said: “World Logistics Hub will help existing airport businesses to expand as well as attract new businesses to the north west region. This will generate much-needed economic growth and many jobs.
“It is unfortunate that a significant amount of misinformation has been circulated by a small minority which has misled local people. For example, the land is not in the Green Belt. We will continue to talk to local people to deal with their concerns.”
£100m Manchester airport cargo centre ‘will ruin our homes’ say opponents
September 1, 2012 Residents living near the proposed site of a new £100m World Logistics Hub at Manchester Airport have objected to it saying it could ruin their local area, destroy the countryside and devalue their homes. The airport has submitted an outline planning application for the ‘world-class’ cargo centre, which will form part of the £650m Airport City project – and claims it will create more than 1,800 jobs. The plans are for multiple freight units with 1.4 million sq ft of warehouse space, with 24-hour operations, creating considerable noise and light pollution on the surrounding area. The centre will provide cargo space for freight companies, with access to air and motorway links. its construction could start by the end of 2012. Click here to view full story…
Manchester Airport unveils plans to concrete former greenbelt land with ‘World Logistics Hub’
August 19, 2012 Manchester Airport has announced plans to concrete over former greenbelt land (removed form the greenbelt in July 2012) around Sunbank Lane to make way for a ‘World Logistics Hub’. The area currently contains residential houses and green fields and also borders onto an SSSI. The plans involve construction of around 43 warehouses and office units of various sizes on land adjacent to the A538, as well as 1,473 car parking spaces, and form part of the wider Airport City Enterprise Zone. Though the airport anticipates many jobs being created over 15 years, it is likely many of these are jobs displaced from elsewhere as businesses relocate due to lower business rates. The Airport have published an ‘informal’ consultation document and intend to submit a formal planning application during August with a 21 day consultation. Click here to view full story…
.
.
.
.
.