Approval for the first phase of ‘THQ’, a new landmark business campus for one of the world’s largest online beauty and wellbeing businesses, The Hut Group (THG) was approved.

Ultimately supporting up to 10,000 jobs, the project represents the UK’s largest bespoke office development outside London. The site will be built over 16.8 acres in four phases, with phase one comprising office buildings totalling 280,000 sq ft.

Airport City Manchester’s joint venture partners will act on behalf of THG as the project’s developer, working in partnership with creative executive architect, workplace culture strategist and interior designer, Penson.

Planners also gave the go ahead for a separate application for the development of two new 92,000 sq ft office buildings at Airport City. The proposed buildings, designed by architects 5Plus, will boast a glass and steel-look design inspired by the Pepsi-Cola Corporation World Headquarters in New York.

The plan also includes an accompanying multi-storey car park with 1,498 spaces, landscaping and a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the M56 spur road, linking the site to the airport’s transport interchange.

Jonathan Haigh, Managing Director of MAG Property and Airport City JV Partner, said: “We are very pleased that both planning applications have now been approved, meaning that a significant amount of construction is now set to commence on-site at Airport City Manchester in 2019.

“The Hut Group is one of the world’s largest online beauty and wellbeing businesses, and we are excited to continue moving forward towards delivering a truly world-class business campus that will bring a critical mass of up to 10,000 people to the site as the scheme’s first major anchor.

“The two new office buildings will help to cater for this future demand, as well as addressing the lack of supply of Grade A office accommodation in the city region, bringing a total of 184,000 sq ft of office space to the market.

“Progress at Airport City Manchester is now truly gathering pace and alongside our plans for a new £250m hotel district and the unrivalled growth of the airport, 2019 is set to be a hugely significant year in the creation of this new commercial business hub in the North of England.”

Deloitte Real Estate submitted the planning applications on behalf of the Airport City Joint Venture Partners; MAG, BCEGI and GMPF. 

Eve Grant, Assistant Director at Deloitte Real Estate in the North West, said: “The two planning permissions secured for the first phases of Airport City will transform the area into a leading business destination both nationally and internationally. The development will be a key economic and employment driver for the Greater Manchester region, putting the airport as one of the world’s foremost commercial hubs, and acting as the catalyst for further high-quality development on the rest of the site."