Future looks bright for key economic region.

• 5-Year Growth: Since 2020, planning approvals in Greater Manchester have increased by 47%, compared to 16% in London and 13% in the West Midlands.
• Major Projects: Significant approvals for the £1.7 billion ID Manchester scheme and the potential redevelopment of Old Trafford stadium are key drivers.
• 2023 Growth: The sector experienced a 61% year-on-year increase in approvals in 2023, outperforming the City of London and the West Midlands.

Glenigan, one of the UK’s leading construction market intelligence experts, has found Greater Manchester experienced exceptionally strong activity growth over the past five years.

New data highlights a rise in both public and private sector performance, with the county consistently ranked as the UK’s second metropolitan area for planning approvals, only behind Greater London.

This shows Greater Manchester’s construction scene is vibrant and healthy, further reflecting its economic diversity and continued appeal to real estate and infrastructure investors.

Under the leadership of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), it’s become a very attractive prospect reflected in greater levels of funding and the major projects green-lit over the past decade, including Co-op Live Manchester (2020), Therme Manchester (2023), KAO Data Centre (2024)

The approval of the £1.7 billion ID Manchester scheme and potential redevelopment of Old Trafford stadium, are set to provide a further activity boost. This will present plenty of opportunities throughout the construction supply chain, and likely encourage complementary urban regeneration, driving up activity in many sector verticals, such as residential and amenities.

2023 was a particularly positive year, with a 61% year-on-year increase in approvals outperforming London and the West Midlands. With a strong project pipeline, Glenigan has forecast this growth to continue over the next 12 months, driving job creation and boosting the local economy.

Commenting on the figures, Economic Director, Allan Wilen, says, “For centuries Manchester has been one of the country’s most important industrial and commercial centres, driving investment in the North West. Andy Burnham has passionately and persuasively argued for greater investment in the region and since his election as mayor in 2017 the region has seen an explosion in activity with a strengthening development pipeline, including a raft of major projects.

With our recent Forecast revealing growth in the North West, and the autumn edition of the report currently in the works, we expect this upwards trend to increase.”