UK economic geography is shifting as growth becomes more balanced. Development efforts and new investment beyond London are rising, with the North West emerging as one of the country’s most dynamic areas.
By Andy Cowan, Associate Partner, Carter Jonas (Manchester)
Nowhere is this clearer than in Manchester. Home to the UK’s fastest growing tech sector, the city has combined world-class research with a competitive cost base, global connectivity and devolved leadership to create the conditions in which growth can flourish. As a planning consultant based in Manchester, I see first-hand how this convergence of factors is reshaping the landscape for investors, developers, and occupiers alike.
An ecosystem built on knowledge and connectivity
Manchester’s strength is its ecosystem. The universities of Manchester, Salford and Manchester Metropolitan have specialisms in digital skills, artificial intelligence and life sciences. This intellectual capital feeds directly into a business community that is outward-looking and ambitious.
The Oxford Road Corridor is perhaps the best illustration of this model in practice. It is not a single development but an interconnected district where academic research, NHS trusts, global pharmaceuticals and commercial occupiers collaborate. Innovation districts of this kind are no longer rare, but Manchester’s is exceptional in its scale and maturity. It is one reason why life sciences and tech firms are locating here in record numbers.
The fundamentals of location still matter. Manchester Airport links to more than 200 international destinations, while east–west rail upgrades promise to improve connections across the Pennines. Liverpool complements this offer with a port that remains one of the UK’s key Atlantic gateways. With its excellent quality of life, thriving cultural scene, and strong student retention, the North West is an increasingly attractive choice for global businesses looking to invest and grow whilst retaining national and international links.
The role of devolution
Policy has been an enabler of this growth. The devolution of powers to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has allowed for a more strategic and locally responsive approach. Planning, transport and regeneration can now be aligned around long-term goals.
The adoption of the Places for Everyone plan illustrates this and we are beginning to see the early stages of accompanying Local Plans being brought forward by local authorities in the region. By promoting growth across the conurbation whilst prioritising development around economic clusters, the city region has been able to deliver housing and employment space that directly supports its industrial strengths. Devolved control over transport – from the Bee Network to investment in international connectivity – is similarly important in giving the region the tools to match its ambitions.
Beyond the city centre
Growth is not confined to the Regional Centre, a term given to central Manchester and Salford which act as Greater Manchester’s economic heart: the government’s Trailblazer Neighbourhoods programme has identified areas such as Wythenshawe and Pendleton for targeted investment. Manchester’s Victoria North was also named as one of Labour’s 12 new town projects. These initiatives matter because attracting businesses requires more than offices and labs: it depends on creating liveable, connected neighbourhoods. Good growth requires homes, services and environments that retain talent as well as jobs.
Aligning with national priorities
The Government’s Industrial Strategy reinforces this momentum. Its focus on advanced manufacturing, digital industries, clean energy and life sciences corresponds exactly with the North West’s sectoral strengths. New tools such as the Strategic Sites Accelerator and Mayoral Recyclable Growth Fund will further empower city regions to prepare sites and attract investment.
In this context, planning plays a pivotal role. New National Development Management Policies (NDPMs) could give additional weight to schemes that support economic growth, helping to align local decisions with national priorities. For occupiers, the prospect of greater certainty and speed in planning outcomes is critical. For consultants, it is an opportunity to align expertise with policy and create real competitive advantage for our clients.
Looking ahead
The North West is no longer simply an emerging player in the UK economy: it is a centre of excellence in its own right, with Manchester at its heart. As international businesses consider where to expand, the region offers a proposition that is globally credible and locally grounded.
For those of us working in planning and development, the challenge is to ensure that growth is managed well – delivering the right mix of employment, housing and infrastructure to sustain momentum over the long term.
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