A delegation from Heathrow Airport will visit Logistics North in Bolton as part of a nationwide tour to find four sites to help with its expansion.
The manufacturing and distribution site in Over Hulton, owned by Harworth Group plc, was named last November as one of the 68 hubs that could potentially become a construction centre for the new runway.
Logistics North is one of the eight long listed sites in the region and was put forward by Midas, Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency.
The hubs will pre-assemble components of the airport before being transported to the airport.
Heathrow representatives are visiting the industrial park today and later this year all the sites still in the running will go through a further process to find the most suitable sites.
The expansion project is expected to deliver up to £16bn in economic benefits and 15,300 jobs across the North West.
New research from WPI Economics also shows that the approach could spur growth in off-site construction and lead to a productivity boost worth £30 billion for the industry outside of London by 2025.
Interim Director of Place at Bolton Council, Gerry Brough, said: “We believe Logistics North represents an ideal location for one of Heathrow’s Logistics Hubs and look forward to welcoming the delegation.
“We have worked very closely with Harworth and together we will be demonstrating all the reasons why it would be an ideal location for one of the hubs.
“Logistics North is the North West’s largest commercial development site. It has been a huge success and we have the likes of Amazon, Aldi, Lidl and MBDA on there.
“More than 2,000 people are already employed there and the development is expected to deliver around 5,000 jobs when it is completed.
“Getting the Heathrow logistics hub would build on this success and bring even more jobs and benefits to people and businesses in our town and across the region.
“This is a great opportunity for Bolton to be part of one the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.”
Associate Director of Major Projects at Harworth Group plc, Chris Davidson, added: “Heathrow shortlisting Logistics North for this purpose serves to emphasise the site’s position as the North West’s leading commercial development.
“We believe the site offers what the Airport needs to support its expansion and I look forward to taking forward further discussions with their delegation.”
Chairman at Heathrow Airport, Lord Deighton, added: “Heathrow expansion is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the UK construction industry, build for the future and deliver a lasting skills legacy for future generations.
“The Logistics Hubs are instrumental in our aim to ensure that expansion spreads the huge potential of its £187 billion in economic benefits across the UK, whilst minimising the impact on the airport’s local communities.
“Off-site construction is an innovative way for these balances to be met and we can’t wait to see for ourselves the opportunity we have in working with the best businesses in the country.”
Tim Newns, chief executive officer, MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “As a long listed destination, Greater Manchester welcomes today’s site tour as the next step in Heathrow expansion and the opportunity to transform the UK construction industry. We believe Greater Manchester represents an ideal location for one of Heathrow’s Logistics Hubs.
“Heathrow expansion is a truly national project that will benefit every region by spreading jobs, boosting productivity and boosting the construction industry outside of London and the South East. A Logistics Hub in Greater Manchester would bring huge benefits to local communities and businesses in the North West by creating jobs and supply chain opportunities and leaving a skills legacy for future generations.”