Dakota eyes new 154-room hotel next to Manchester Airport

A new Dakota hotel could be built next to Manchester Airport, according to recently-submitted plans.

The hotel chain — which already has a branch in the city centre — is hoping to build a seven-storey block with space for 154 rooms. It would also have a 130-space car park on-site.

It would be built on Enterprise Way, only 0.8 miles from terminal two, and just over a mile to terminals one and three and the Airport’s railway and Metrolink stations.

Its location means it would be in the shadow of Etrop Grange, a grade-II listed building which is currently being used as a hostel. That means architects KPP have ‘carefully considered’ the impact of the hotel on the historic structure.

That’s according to a design and access statement from KPP, which adds: “This proposal will compliment the established airport hotel accommodation. The design follows the established Dakota Hotel brand, however, the siting of the building has been carefully considered to limit the impact of its mass on Etrop Grange and the adjacent houses.

“The award winning Dakota Hotel brand is renowned for promoting local employment and giving employees a chance to thrive through the business. This hotel promises to be a great addition to the local area for community, social, financial, environmental and employment benefits.”

Should it get the go-ahead, Dakota has pledged to sign the branch up to the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, and establish links with local sixth form colleges to set-up apprenticeships and work experience placements.

The hotel would become Dakota’s seventh branch, as it will open a new hotel in Newcastle in spring next year, a planning statement from agents Asteer goes on. The chain started out in Motherwell, in 2006. It now has branches in Scotland and the north of England.

You can view the planning application and submit a comment — until July 2 — online here or by searching ‘140206/FO/2024’ on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.