The land in Altrincham near the tram stop has been in limbo for more than a decadeA generic image of Altrincham town centre

Trafford council has appointed global property specialist Savills to lead a masterplan for the redevelopment of land at Oakfield Road in Altrincham – formerly known as the Altair site, near the town’s Metrolink stop.

Town hall chiefs and the company say the move is a ‘significant step towards unlocking the potential of the key town centre location’.

The project aims to deliver a vibrant, sustainable and community-focused mixed-use scheme ‘that further enhances Altrincham’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit’, they say.

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The council regained ownership of the 4.5-acre site earlier this year after the previous developer, Nikal, could not deliver on its £70m plan for the land, despite owning it for more than 10 years.

A CGI of the original Altair plan taken from Trafford council’s planning portal

Coun Liz Patel, Trafford council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “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.

“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.

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“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, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to lead the masterplanning of this important site on behalf of Trafford Council.

“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. 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.”

Savills says it has assembled a consultant team that brings together all the specialisms required to successfully deliver the Oakfield Road development masterplan.

The team includes LDA Design, who will provide masterplanning, urban and landscape design, and Civic Engineers, who will support on infrastructure including active travel, access and public realm.

They say the collective team has a ‘strong track’ record of collaboration across Greater Manchester, having worked together on projects such as the Newton Heath District Centre Neighbourhood Development Framework, the Chapel Wharf Development Framework, and the Middleton Town Centre and St George’s Gateway Masterplans.

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