The Government Office North West told Amec last week that the edge-of-town scheme would not be called in and could now go ahead without a public inquiry.
Amec, which is developing the 167ha (400 acre) site in a joint venture with landowner Stayley Developments, is expecting to get full planning consent next month.
Ashton Moss will comprise 102,193 sq m (1.1m sq ft) of design-and-build industrial and distribution units, 18,115 sq m (195,000 sq ft) of leisure, 10,684 sq m (115,000 sq ft) of retail and a 110-bedroom hotel.
Construction of a bridge over the M60 and a road junction joining Manchester Road has started.
Work will begin on the leisure element in the spring.