Manchester is among the world's top 10 cities for foreign direct investment, according to a new report. Specialisms in cyber security, FinTech and advanced materials helped the city bring the largest number of investments into the UK, outside the capital, during 2017, IBM’s annual Global Location Trends report found. In order to compare regions around the world more appropriately, IBM looked at metropolitan areas based on equal labour catchment areas. On this basis they looked at a joint Manchester-Liverpool area, which attracted a combined 68 FDI projects last year, beating Dublin, Barcelona or Toronto. Top of the global pile was London, followed by Paris, Singapore, Amsterdam-Rotterdam, Chicago, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Dubai. Manchester and Liverpool pulled in the 10th highest number of FDI projects which jointly created 7,000 jobs, according to IBM. Liverpool’s core sectors include digital manufacturing, health and life sciences. Commenting on the report, Tim Newns, chief executive...

Plans to build 15,000 new homes north of Manchester city centre have been approved by councillors. Planners at Manchester City Council have backed the Northern Gateway project, which will see the new homes built by 2038. The project is a joint venture between the council and the Far East Consortium developers. People will be invited to take part in an eight week consultation period throughout August and September. The council said the plans would be among the largest regeneration projects in the UK, stretching 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Angel Meadow on the edge of the city centre to Collyhurst. Photo: The project would feature several green spaces It would feature a large park "connecting seven new and emerging neighbourhoods through high quality open green spaces and public squares". The council said it would also feature at least 3,000 affordable homes. People will be invited to view the plans in...

The new scheme will comprise 756 new homes for sale across four buildings, which will border Angel Meadow Park, one of the city’s largest open green spaces. Angel Meadow forms a key part of the city centre’s NOMA neighbourhood, which sits right on the doorstep of the revamped Victoria station. Spanning 20-acres, NOMA will provide high quality office space as well as new retail and leisure opportunities. Gavin Taylor, Regional General Manager at Far East Consortium, says: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for Angel Meadow. The scheme will provide high quality homes to suit a range of buyers from first time buyers to professionals, and families, creating a new sense of place and community in NOMA.” Designed by 5plus Architects, Angel Meadow will incorporate a combination of apartments and townhouses across four plots, centred around the historic Angel Meadow Park on Gould Street, Aspin Lane and Old Mount Street....