Trafford makes moves on former £70m Altair site
Savills has been appointed by the council to lead the development masterplan for the troubled 4.5-acre site, which had been subject to stop-start project proposals for nearly 20 years.
Joining Savills on the project team are masterplanner and urban and landscape designer LDA Design and infrastructure and active travel experts Civic Engineers.
Previously known as Altair, the site off Oakfield Road is located by Altrincham’s tram stop. Trafford Council acquired the land in March, following the collapse of developer Nikal – which had been attached to the project in one form or another since 2007.
The scheme’s vision has run the gamut as the years have gone by, from calling for 100,000 sq ft of offices, a hotel, and 80,000 sq ft of retail in 2007 to a hospital being added to the mix in 2009. In 2014, there was a new plan that included a transport interchange, leisure centre, bowling alley, apartments, offices, and restaurants. This was given a £70m GDV figure.
No buildings ever materialised. Nikal went into administration in 2023.
The latest vision for the site calls for “a vibrant, sustainable, and community-focused mixed-use scheme that further enhances Altrincham’s appeal as a place to live, work, and visit”, according to a press release.
“We are very pleased to be in control of the site again, and we are working with Savills on a fresh masterplan, which will explore a wide range of options,” said Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration.
“We recognise that local people have a keen interest in this prominent site in the town, and that stalled previous proposals have led to disappointment,” she continued.
“We will be consulting with residents and businesses on what they would like to see happen here, and how best this great location can contribute new amenities and offerings to benefit everyone in the area.”
Adam Mirley, head of the Savills Manchester development team, added: “Oakfield Road has huge potential to deliver something truly special for Altrincham, and we are looking forward to working with partners and the local community to bring forward a scheme that delivers lasting benefits for the town — socially, economically and environmentally.
“Our team knows the site and Altrincham extremely well,” he continued.
“We have shaped bold plans and delivered game-changing placemaking interventions across Greater Manchester and we are looking forward to working with the council and our excellent team to develop a masterplan that will unlock the potential of this large, underutilised site.”
An aerial view of Oakfield Road shows how close the site is to the tram. Credit: via Savills
I guess the 100s of rats will migrate to Tesco carpark to join the others. Not a metaphor!
By Jim
Why don’t they use it for affordable housing instead of just thinking about money!
By RADF
Festival Gardens 2.0…. why not just put it out to the market to decide what uses are viable with a design competition, inviting bids with clear performance measures and get it built.
By Alt Delete
Would prefer the money to be spent on fixing the potholes in the area.
By Anonymous
Nikal went into administration in 2003?
By Abots
2023! Have fixed. Apologies for the error, my time machine was overly aggressive.
By Julia Hatmaker
Just have it as medium/high density housing. Leave the core retail/hospitality/nightlife areas where they are rather than diluting/competing with it and having the town centre spread over a railway track. At most, maybe some ground floor units if there is to be a frontage onto Moss Lane which should be permanently made into a pedestrian gateway with greenery and attractive paving etc
By Anonymous
I was in the room in 2003 (not 2007) when the then Tory Leader announced she had chosen Nikal over the other developer. She liked the design and the leisure/commercial mix. The Development Agreement was renewed multiple times. Groundhog Day is here 22 years later but so much public money spent on professional fees, including a CPO and a Planning Inquiry. With all the faffing about times change. Far too many variables and different opinions. Needs to be built before the local movers and shakers change their minds this time.
By Dave C
A mixture of private and affordable but under the private scheme so that it doesn’t go down in few years.
By Moses Kibedi
Why do we have to have buildings there. There is no green space in Altrincham town centre. Stamford Park and George’s Pool are used regularly and regularly used. A new park with tree lined paths and benches and an up to date play park for children would be a lot cheaper to create than expensive buildings.
By Anonymous
Another ‘ positive’ story from ms Hatmaker.
By Eric anon