Manchester Airport has been given the green light to build a surface car park for passengers on land at Boundary Farm at Styal.

Cheshire East's strategic planning board was told the proposal seeks to re-establish the existing lawful use of the site as airport parking, which ceased to operate in 2024.

Previously it had been privately run but this latest application for the land off Styal Road, which also includes demolishing three glasshouses and three other small buildings, is from Manchester Airport.

Styal Parish councillor Peter Highfield told yesterday's (Wednesday) meeting: "This site has been used for airport parking over a number of years, and under previous ownership was a problem in the village with inconsiderate and inappropriate parking of cars, driving, and so on.

"So, we're reasonably hopeful that, under the management of the applicant, those sort of issues shouldn't arise again."

He said measures had been put in place to ensure noise and lighting didn't impact on residents and 'it's just a question of emphasising that when this operation starts, we'd like those measures to be fully functional because they involve some level of planting'.

Andy Thompson, planning manager at Manchester Airport, said airport-related car parking has lawfully taken place on the site for more than 20 years.

"Since buying the site two years ago, the airport has tried to work closely with the council, the parish council, and with local residents to limit the impact of the proposed car park upon the community as far as possible," he said.

Mr Thompson said amendments had been made to the scheme following feedback, including the removal of 40 parking spaces closest to houses on Styal Road and these had been replaced with trees.

"We reduced the height of the lighting columns and relocated them further away from houses," he said.

The application was moved for approval by Cllr Russell Chadwick (Dane Valley, Con) and seconded by Mobberley councillor Hannah Moss (Con).

Cllr Chadwick said: "It is definitely going to improve the site considerably to what it currently is."

The application was approved with 10 councillors voting in favour and one abstaining.

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