LAX, interesting that you say the planning permissions are in place. Can you advise what they cover and when they were submitted? I've searched the Manchester City Council planning portal and can't find any applications of relevance.
He didn't say they were in place only that they were in which I take to mean submitted.
However as you say there is nothing showing in the Planning portal and as I posted above even the one for the car park etc near the RVP submitted in January still hasn't been settled.
Unfortunately I fear nothing will start next year because if for no other reason there will be very strong opposition to the expansion.