Incredible new water park set for approval by council chiefs

A £250million plan to create a huge waterpark and wellbeing resort at the site of the former Events City at Trafford Park looks set for approval.

The site even includes an ‘urban beach’.

Trafford Park’s £250 Million Waterpark Therme and Wellbeing Resort

The scheme to create a resort known as ‘Therme’ goes before Trafford’s planning and development management committee meeting on Thursday, September 14.

It was given the green light in March 2020 but the planning approval has expired so the project for the 28-acre site will go before councilors for a second time, but with modifications.

Therme Resort Proposal Set for Council Approval

The proposals still include a striking, largely glazed main building which would house a variety of health and wellbeing facilities, including swimming pools, saunas, treatment rooms and waterslides

Outdoor Amenities and Bridgewater Canal Access

Outdoors, the site will include landscaped areas, gardens, swimming pools and natural pools, while the rear of the site will be opened up to the Bridgewater Canal.

Four objections to the plan have been submitted to the council.

Objections to Therme

These include fears over increased traffic and its disruption to nearby businesses; submissions that the filter for turning into Mercury Way from Barton Dock Road is not large enough; that the car park should be sited where the Event City parking was originally located; and objections to the use of Mercury Way for parking with a drop-off point.

They also say the development requires changes to ‘third party land, which will impact on operations and adjacent businesses’ and that the plans take ‘no consideration of significant numbers of pedestrians being channelled into an area with regular vehicle movements and 40ft trailers to the neighbouring warehouse building’.

The objectors also alleged inaccuracies and inconsistencies in transport surveys and data.

Benefits of the Therme Development, According to Planning Officers

However, the scheme has been recommended for approval by Trafford’s planning officers, who have cited the creation of 1,320 construction jobs and a further 670 permanent full-time jobs once it is open.

“The development will also add approximately £97m gross value to the local economy during construction and £38m annually once operational,” a report says.

“Other benefits include improved connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians, the creation of a new public realm, the regeneration of a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location with a building of the highest design quality, biodiversity net gain and a substantial amount of new green infrastructure.”

Four Distinct Zones within the Therme Resort

If approved, Therme will split into four zones: Galaxy – An area for families featuring flumes wave pools, and relaxation areas; Palm – Focusing on relaxation and rejuvenation and features swim-up bars, therapeutic mineral baths and steam rooms; Elysium – dedicated to allowing visitors to explore historical traditions of wellbeing, with an emphasis on thermal therapies; and Genesis – designed to enhance physical and mental health featuring advanced body scanners and one-to-one sessions with expert therapists.