£250m Therme resort takes step closer to reality
Proposals for a 28-acre complex boasting 25 pools and more than 35 waterslides have been approved for a second time. Attention now turns to getting on site before the end of the year and bringing the ambitious plans to fruition.
Therme UK’s £250m Trafford City scheme is one of the region’s most eagerly anticipated projects and has been in the pipeline for several years.
Trafford Council first approved plans for the resort back in March 2020. At that time, the developer anticipated the complex would open to the public in 2023.
However, several delays, most notably the pandemic, have impacted the scheme and pushed its delivery back years.
The original planning consent has now expired and earlier this year, Therme lodged revised plans for the resort.
Working with Therme’s in-house architecture practice Therme ARC, alongside design studios Fletcher Priest and GROSS.MAX, the developer made a raft of changes to the earlier proposals.
The most notable change concerns the complex’s roof. While the first iteration of the project featured a glass roof, this element has been omitted from the updated plans as Therme moves from the idea of a single building with zones to a more pavilion-style concept.
While the glass roof is out, the new design features additions such as a 100,000 sq ft urban wellbeing garden, inspired by an English meadow, and additional entrances, according to Therme Group.
A pair of multi-storey car parks featuring more than 1,500 spaces also form part of the plan, as do more than 25 pools and more than 35 waterslides.
The glass roof has been omitted from the updated proposals. Credit: via Rule 5
A landscaped green boulevard and the creation of a new connection to the Bridgewater Canal will enhance the link from the resort to Manchester city centre, improving access for pedestrians and cyclists.
The sustainability of the project has also been improved; Therme has reduced the amount of steel being used and committed to using renewable sources of energy including heat pumps and PV panels.
The resort is split into four main zones, each providing a different experience.
Yesterday, more than three years after the council first greenlit the project, the authority’s planning committee rubber-stamped it for a second time, with planning officers describing the development as a “well-designed, distinctive, unique building”.
Attention now turns to delivery. Therme hopes to be on site later in 2023 and anticipates construction will take two years.
Therme UK’s newly appointed chief executive Professor David Russell has been involved in the delivery of several large scale projects, including the London 2012 Olympics and the $8bn Expo 2020 in Dubai.
He will be hoping his experience can see the Trafford project come to fruition.
“Therme Manchester will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort,” he said.
“Our ambition is to make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives whilst creating a new wave in urban living.”
James Whittaker, executive director for development at Peel L&P, said: “After five years working in partnership with Therme, we are delighted to hear planning permission has been approved for this incredible, high-quality health and wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with the whole of the Therme team to deliver something truly unique and iconic in the UK, that is not only world-leading for health and wellbeing, but will also create a significant number of new jobs and have a huge positive economic impact for North West England.”
To learn more about the project, search for application reference 111318/FUL/23 on Trafford Council’s planning portal. WSP is advising on planning.
A fantastic and ambitious scheme but I still feel this would have been better suited to a coastal location (Southport Marine Lake being a prime candidate) where it could be a catalyst for the local economy rather than plonked amongst a business park, drive thru eateries and retail outlets.
By Anonymous
This looks great despite the Traffic increase although I might not be saying that when I’m stuck in it…yes and before you say it I am part of the problem, why don’t I get bike blah blah…I can’t, I’ve got a wooden leg, I can only make the pedals go around on one side. Last time it took me two days to get home and I only live in Worsley.
By Lance legstrong
Lance Legstrong 🙂 🙂
By Anonymous
Absolutely no thanks
By Anonymous
Would have been a good idea to have this located in East Manchester.
By Anonymous
It’s in great location, Peel doesn’t own East Manchester, that’s all being developed with other money, let’s not be greedy.
By Anonymous
Interesting approval given the climate crisis, clearly, is no longer and never really was an issue. Or how could one justify the burning of humongous amounts of gas required to combined heat and power this beautifully glazed shed? At least the Bucharest twin relied on a geothermal energy source, the only acceptable option for a structure of this size.
By only a climate crisis when it suits the narrative
Let’s hope they can crack on sooner rather than later
By Levelling Up Manager
Great design..let’s get it started. Not everyone takes the whole climate narrative seriously otherwise all building would stop and all personnel transport would be taxed heavily, freedom of movement would be restricted and we’d…ooh..hang on a minute .
By Anonymous
Will it have any diving boards?
By Tom D