Ready for business: infrastructure investment at MIX MANCHESTER

12th September 2024

Slide 1

MIX MANCHESTER is the only major science, innovation, and manufacturing campus adjacent to an international airport.

Local, multi-modal transport systems associated with Manchester Airport provide access to surrounding areas and talent pools.

In fact, MIX MANCHESTER will provide unrivaled access to the very best the North West has to offer. The 60-acre site is easily accessed by car, tram, train, or plane, meaning nowhere is beyond reach for prospective occupiers.

To bring to life the ambitious vision for MIX MANCHESTER, more than £30m of utilities and highway infrastructure is already in place.

The joint venture partnership behind MIX MANCHESTER has already completed a £15m link road on Enterprise Way and a brand-new pedestrian footbridge linking the site to the airport.

Both of these solutions enable even greater connectivity to the development from surrounding areas, with more infrastructure investment on the horizon.

Further investment in infrastructure

A Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for MIX MANCHESTER was approved in principle by Manchester City Council in July 2024.

The document outlines the wider investment in infrastructure that will create a truly expansive, open, and dynamic campus for occupiers.

To accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the site, the specialist needs of prospective MIX MANCHESTER occupiers have been carefully considered.

A robust approach to servicing and infrastructure will be required across the site to ensure that all buildings can be powered and serviced with ease while meeting sustainability objectives.

MIX MANCHESTER will be home to some of the world’s most innovative, forward-thinking businesses, so the campus will have significant power requirements.

The SRF outlines plans to ensure that power capacity for the development is scalable and resilient to guarantee uninterrupted operations at all times.

Renewable energy technology will be utilized on-site as standard, forming an integral part of the wider sustainability objectives for the area and a drive toward net-zero.

On the less glamorous side of things, drainage solutions are intended to be integrated within the landscape design, with a focus on passive and sustainable drainage solutions while conforming to safeguarding restrictions imposed by the airport location.

Capitalizing on person-centric design

MIX MANCHESTER is fundamentally designed with people in mind, with extensive landscaping offering primary pedestrian walking routes around the 60-acre site.

So-called green and blue infrastructure – planting and waterways, in short – will create an expansive, open campus and lush public realm. The aim will be to improve connections to surrounding areas, benefitting local residents and supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in the immediate vicinity.

The approach to the necessary highways that will service the site keeps the interaction with pedestrians firmly in mind, accounting for the specialist needs of the tenants.

Traffic management and segregation will ensure that large vehicles can navigate the site and access buildings easily, while protecting the overall character and pedestrian-focused nature of the public realm.

Several multi-storey car parks will be evenly distributed across the site for staff and visitor use. Nevertheless, the ultimate ambition is to consolidate parking levels given the enviable public transport links provided by Manchester Airport.

In all, MIX MANCHESTER is ready for business, with a substantial part of the vital infrastructure in place to ensure the site will make a positive contribution to the local area from the start.

MIX MANCHESTER has been designed with biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and wellbeing at its core, and 20 bug hotels have already been installed around the site to encourage wildlife to thrive over the coming winter.

From accredited building practices, climate resilience, and positive environmental management, to sustainable transport infrastructure and a commitment to the local community, MIX MANCHESTER will secure a brighter future for everyone.

The public consultation for MIX MANCHESTER is live until 8th October. Please head to mix-manchester.com/consultation/to leave your feedback.

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