Airport plan threatens 400-year-old cottage

Paul R Taylor

October 02, 2008

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UPSET Jaime and Oliver Lowe outside cottage

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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PAH , Manchester (03/10/2008 at 07:27)

Would it hit the headlines if it was poor peoples houses?

Trudy, Bolton (03/10/2008 at 11:53)

CAN'T THEY BUILD UP INSTEAD OF OUT?

Andrew Cathcart (03/10/2008 at 12:29)

press on regardless of the "400 year old heritage" I live in a place where nothing seems to be left nstanding after 30 years or so - and the surroundings are all the better for the change.

power to the people uk (03/10/2008 at 12:34)

why not bulldoze the airport and get some greenbelt back this council and its planners are selling everything off and making it a concrete jungle.its about time the corrupt council of Manchester was thrown out and replaced or at least a split Town Hall would stop them mashing the city up.places like wilmslow and prestbury if you knock a house down only one can replace it,the city of Manchester knock one down and put 50 flats in its place.Wonder why the streets are getting clogged up with traffic,why you cant get to see the dentist or doctor or get your kid in a decent school close to home.

Openshaw Bob (03/10/2008 at 13:52)

If the council was committed to reducing emissions why are they extending the airport? Do we really want more cargo planes landing and lorries collecting their goods whilst belching out their filth?

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (03/10/2008 at 14:19)

Why dont we demolish those "Appartrments" on the quays and bring ships back up the manchester ship canal,as it was built for .This is surely a better way of bringing goods into britain,Other large countries use ships and ports i think we should re-open manchester docks and open some of the train lines once again and then maybe we would get rid of a lot of pollution and congestion on our roads.And cut the amount of greenbelt these airports take up.

Frostee, Oldham (03/10/2008 at 15:19)

So the plans are to be put before Manchester Council. And who owns Manchester Airport?

If the decision by Manchester Council goes ahead to demolish these historic properties, the residents should appeal all the way to the top.

'Cultural barbarism' is a most appropriate term to use in this matter.

Matthew Wright (03/10/2008 at 18:42)

"cottages' historical features would be salvaged and stored."

This was said of a windmill and something else near another airport. They dismantled the historical buildings stored them and now dont know where they are!.

If they only rent the cottage more fool them for paying £4000 to do it up when its the owners responsibility.

Cllr Martin Eakins, Northenden (03/10/2008 at 20:43)

Thanks for all the supportive comments. If you want to add your voice to the campaign to Save Rose Cottage, please sign our petition on our campaign page: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/RoseCottage

Many thanks,

Cllr M Eakins - Lib Dem

citycentre, manchester (04/10/2008 at 13:44)

if the cottage is that valuable why not just move it?

Esso Blue, Oil incorporated, Manchester (05/10/2008 at 21:43)

The good thing is you are only renting it, it would of been more stressful had it been bought.

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