Altair, Altrincham | Approved

[Comdot]

i predict this will not be good for the local pest control businesses

[jrb]

Recession ‘won’t freeze out Altair’
by Bethan Dorsett
31/10/2008


DEVELOPERS have vowed that the controversial £150m Altair development will still go ahead – despite fears the economic crisis could put the scheme on ice.

This week the North Wales-based David McLean group, one firm behind the bid for the huge Altrincham leisure complex, was placed in administration with 134 staff made redundant.

Business consultancy Deloitte, which has been appointed administrator, says the firm had been struggling to combat the current crash in the property market.

Now civic campaigners say they fear the news could threaten Altair’s future.

But the other property firm behind the scheme, Nikal, insists it will go ahead as planned.

Nick Payne, Nikal’s managing director, said: "We are saddened by the receivership of David McLean. Over the last five years we developed an excellent working relationship with them and some of the directors have become good personal friends.

"Circumstances like this happen in the business world; therefore, from the outset of the relationship, strict and robust provisions are made which underpin and secure the future of the principal company in the event of a company shareholder going into receivership.

"These measures mean that there will be no effect on Altair.

"Nikal has been the lead developer and will progress the scheme as normal."

Work is expected to begin on the development – which will include an ice rink, shops and flats – in spring or summer 2009. It gained planning permission earlier this year despite some residents’ objections on the grounds it would generate too much noise and overshadow their properties.

One opponent was Sarah Walmsley of pressure group Against Altair. She told Metro News that in her opinion the credit crunch was bound to affect Altair. She said: "Major developments across the country are being put on ice or being left half finished.

"Of course, it is terrible news when companies go into administration because people lose their jobs.

"If Altair is called off then it is something to be welcomed, though if the plans continue we will still face this blot on the landscape overlooking our properties."

Judie Collins, vice-chairwoman of Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society – which was consulted on the plans – is also concerned about the scheme’s future.

She said: "The last time recession happened, in the Eighties, major companies went under and projects were left half finished. This scheme has been going on for so long now but we are just going to have to wait and see what happens."

But Altrincham Town Centre Partnership, which comprises businesses, the council and other agencies, is confident the building work will go ahead. Regeneration manager Peter Noble said: "Nikal is the leading partner in this development.

"David McLean was responsible for the residential properties – the development is mostly retail.

"I have spoken to Nick Payne from Nikal, who assures me that he’s feeling safe."

[Comdot]

looks like there will still be fleas the size of rats and rats the size of cats then.

[Mancunian Monkey]

What?

[Comdot]

ask bammy

[CDX]

From the Messenger:

Full steam ahead for £150m Altair scheme
http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news
2:00pm Thursday 12th March 2009


Artist's impression of Altair scheme

A £150m regeneration scheme which will create 2,000 new jobs will go ahead in Altrincham after the developer secured its future.

Nikal Ltd, behind Altair, acquired the shares held by former partner, construction group David McLean Holdings Ltd, after it went into administration last October.

Altair, located at Oakfield Road and Moss Lane, will bring a permanent ice rink – to be home of Manchester Phoenix ice hockey team – apartments, offices, a hotel, parking, leisure amenities and around 2,000 jobs to Altrincham.

Managing director Nick Payne said: “Altair will go ahead and that’s why we bought the shares. Ever since David McLean went into administration we’ve been negotiating to buy its 50 per cent of the shares. If we had been in any doubt about Altair’s future we wouldn’t have bought them.

“We want Altrincham to be a destination place and compete with Manchester city centre, the Trafford Centre or Wilmslow. The development will deliver many of the things Altrincham has been lacking over recent decades.”

Backed by a wealthy family trust, Nikal, who clinched the deal with a significant undisclosed sum, has ensured Altair will progress on site next year.

Mr Payne confirmed Nikal had been in talks with a hotel group, office company and several stores and added: “I’m delighted to have secured the future of Altair as we have great aspirations for an integrated scheme. It will bring employment and occupiers that aren’t currently present in Altrincham.”

Work will be carried out over a phased period and replacing the temporary ice rink with a permanent one is a priority.

Mr Payne said: “We were instrumental in bringing the temporary facility to Altrincham and now we want to make it permanent.”

In a statement Nikal said it was disapppointed by the David McLean Group falling victim to the economic downturn but expressed its excitement for the future: “While we are not immune to the current climate, we have a long-term strategy and projects like Altair are what excite us.

“We have recently teamed up with residents to form a focus group. Since gaining planning permission for the project, we have been waiting for the council to complete the land acquisition and are working with tenants and occupiers to get the first phase under way as soon as possible.”

In Altrincham Nikal also owns MyBuro offices and Juice Nursery, on Market Street.

Nikal operates nationally with projects in progress in Dorset, Humberside and Somerset.

[b4mmy]

Good news

[gd]

Indeed.. Alty needs this.. went shopping their last sat.. the town centre is dead... for every shop there's a boarded up one.

Alty was in decline well before the credit crunch due to the trafford centre, manc city centre via tram.

This can only be good for the town!

[flange]

Nikal takes charge at Altair

David Thame

March 17, 2009

NIKAL has taken control of one of Greater Manchester's biggest property projects as speculation grows that it could be home to a new South Manchester hospital.

Nikal, the property business backed by paper tycoon Alan Murphy, has bought the remaining half of the shares in its joint venture to develop the £150m Altair site at Altrincham.

They acquired the shares following the collapse last year of their former partners, North Wales-based David McLean Developments.

The deal ends five months of negotiations and means that work on site will progress in 2010.

The Altair site has been earmarked for 161,000 sq ft of retail floorspace, 53,000 sq ft of offices, and a 130-bed hotel.

Nikal take full control at Altair as speculation mounts that it could be redesigned to include a new hospital.

Nikal says that it is `undertaking the pre-qualification process' with Trafford NHS Trust to develop the new Altrincham General Hospital.

A new hospital will be required in the town by 2012.

Nick Payne, managing director of Nikal said: "We were naturally disappointed by the David McLean Group falling victim to the credit crisis but have been fortunate enough to finalise the purchase of its shares enabling us to progress."

"Whilst we are not immune to the current climate, we have a long term strategy and projects like Altair are what excite us. The development will deliver many of the things Altrincham has been lacking over recent decades and the temporary ice rink investment was just the start. Our vision for Altair includes residential, hotel, office, retail and leisure uses.

"We have recently teamed up with local residents to form a focus group and the scheme is shaping up well. Since gaining planning permission for the project, we have been waiting for the council to complete the land acquisition and are working with tenants and occupiers alike to get the first phase under way as soon as possible."

When complete, Altair will bring new homes, shops, offices and leisure amenities to the area as well as generating approximately 2,000 new jobs.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....arge_at_altair

[b4mmy]

a replacement hospital would be a brilliant idea... I really hope Nick can swing this one

[CDX]

TC report with a bit of info on the hospital proposals, inc the Altair option:

BRIEFING NOTE ON ALTRINCHAM GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR THE SCRUTINY CORE COMMITTEE MEETING 5 OCTOBER, 2009.

Current position

Outline solutions have been received from 3 bidders for the re-provision of Altrincham General Hospital. These are currently being evaluated by the Trust. It is planned that either 2 or 3 of the bidders will be invited to submit detailed solutions and final tenders and that a preferred bidder will be identified early in 2010.

An application for detailed planning permission will be made by the preferred bidder soon thereafter and a construction start is planned late in 2010 with completion scheduled for the summer of 2012.

A firm decision is yet to be made on the precise services to be provided by the new hospital, so bidders have been asked to offer solutions which provide flexibility between 2,500 and 5,000 square metres. Outline of the three bids received

The Vinci (formerly Norwest Holst) consortium has submitted an outline solution which involves re-building on the existing AGH site. Hospital services would continue to be provided in the Victorian part of the building whilst the remaining part of the hospital is demolished and re-built. Services would transfer to the new building and the Victorian part would then be re-built/refurbished to provide either additional hospital accommodation (in the event that more than 2,500 square metres are required) or commercial/residential development.

The Citybranch consortium has submitted an outline solution which provides a new hospital on an alternative site on Railway St., close to the railway station. The site is currently owned by the developer and is able to accommodate up to the 5,000 metre requirement.

The Nikal Community Solutions consortium has submitted an outline solution which provides a new hospital as part of the proposed Altair development which is on Oakfield Road and incorporates the land on which the temporary ice rink is currently located. The site can accommodate the 5,00 metre maximum requirement.
full report here...

http://www.trafford.gov.uk/cme/live/...A-81768538D16C

[CDX]

Altair related?

New app:

74390/O/2009
Land at Oakfield Road/Moss Lane, Altrincham

Outline planning application (seeking approval of access with all other matters reserved) for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of mixed use development comprising up to : - hospital/health care facility (Classes C2/D1 - 5510 sq.m); ice rink (Class D2 - 6150 sq.m); food retail (Class A1 - 1380 sq.m); non-food retail, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways (Classes A1, A3, A4 and A5 - 5380 sq.m); residential (Class C3 - 31 apartments); offices (Class B1 - 8970 sq.m) management suite (Class B1 - 140 sq.m) hotel (Class C1 - 125 bedrooms); health club/gym (Class D2 - 370 sq.m); climbing wall (Class D2 - 310 sq.m); vehicle parking; associated plant and service areas; highway alterations and creation of new areas of public realm.

[Metrolink VI]

How the hell has Neil Morris got the money to build a new ice rink.

Vince? Any ideas?

[CDX]

Theres this one as well:

74383/VAR/2009
Part of Station Car Park, Moss Lane, Altrincham

Retention of ice rink building until 5 January 2014 (variation of condition 2 of planning permission H/63424 and condition 1 of planning permission H/65863).

[Nathan Dawz]

74390/O/2009
Land at Oakfield Road/Moss Lane, Altrincham

Outline planning application (seeking approval of access with all other matters reserved) for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of mixed use development comprising up to : - hospital/health care facility (Classes C2/D1 - 5510 sq.m); ice rink (Class D2 - 6150 sq.m); food retail (Class A1 - 1380 sq.m); non-food retail, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways (Classes A1, A3, A4 and A5 - 5380 sq.m); residential (Class C3 - 31 apartments); offices (Class B1 - 8970 sq.m) management suite (Class B1 - 140 sq.m) hotel (Class C1 - 125 bedrooms); health club/gym (Class D2 - 370 sq.m); climbing wall (Class D2 - 310 sq.m); vehicle parking; associated plant and service areas; highway alterations and creation of new areas of public realm.

So does that mean they've decided that the new site of Altrincham Hospital will be on Oakfield Road / Moss Lane?

[CDX]

I don't think it's decided until early next year looking at that above council report, maybe just pre-empting the decision, puts a bit of weight behind the tender bid? that new app looks very lightweight though 'seeking approval of access with all other matters reserved'.

Assuming the applications are comparable & the figures quoted in the app descriptions are correct, heres some figures for comparison:

OUTLINE APPROVED / NEW APP

Non-Food Retail + Cafes/Bars/Restaurants - 12,576sqm(10,536sqm + 2,040sqm) / 5,380sqm(total)

Food Retail - 1,583sqm / 1,380sqm

Offices - 8,471sqm / 8,970sqm

Residential - 150 / 31 apartments

Hotel - 135 / 125 beds

Gym/Health Club - 1,045sqm / 370sqm

Climbing Wall - 513sqm / 310sqm

Ice Rink - 10,076sqm / 6,150sqm

Hospital/Health Care Facility - NA / 5,510sqm

(Maximum development size since outline)

[CDX]

From the Messenger:

New £100m Altair plans unveiled
http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk...lans_unveiled/
Thursday 26th November 2009



THIS is the futuristic scene that could be dominating Altrincham’s skyline by 2016.

Developers Nikal have submitted revised scaled-down plans for a £100m leisure and retail development earmarked for the Oakfield Road car park area.

The company claims its plans will regenerate Altrincham and provide 2,000 jobs.

The Altair scheme could include a new hospital that is due to open in Altrincham in 2012.

Altair is one of three developers in the running to build the hospital, with a decision due to be made by health chiefs in the spring of next year.

The development also includes a 125-bedroom hotel restaurants and cafes, 31 flats, offices and a 600-space car park.

Sporting facilities will comprise an ice rink – to be the home of Manchester Phoenix ice hockey team – a climbing wall and a health club/gym.

A similar scheme was granted outline planning permission in March 2008 – on the casting vote of the committee chairman.

Nikal says its new application responds to criticisms of the scheme being too large and overbearing by reducing its scale along Oakfield Road. The changes also accommodate a new access layout, Other changes to the original plans include a reduction in the number of flats from 150 to 31 and in the number of parking spaces from 845 to 600.

Work is due to get underway in 2011 if the scheme gets the go-ahead from planning chiefs, and it would take three to five years to complete it.

Jonny Wrigley, development director at Nikal, said: “It will be a major catalyst for Altrincham’s regeneration.

“Despite the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, Nikal is fully committed to the regeneration of Altrincham and breathing new life into the town, creating employment opportunities and making it a great place to live, work and invest.”

[jrb]

Crains.

Hospital is key to Nikal's revised plans for Altrincham


Manchester-based developer Nikal has dramatically cut back its Altair mixed-use scheme in Altrincham town centre in the face of a weakened property market.

The firm said it was still committed to the scheme but has submitted a revised outline planning application to Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.

The scheme originally covered almost 550,000 sq ft, on a site near the town's railway station, was first proposed at the end of 2006 by a joint venture involving Nikal and David McLean Ltd. But when the North Wales-based developer went into administration in November 2008, Nikal bought out its interest in the scheme and decided to go it alone.

The new scheme will now cover around 400,000 sq ft after a car park next to the station, owned by Network Rail, was removed from the development site.

The most significant change is that Nikal hopes to persuade Altrincham General Hospital will relocate to the site from Market Street.

The 55,000 sq ft hospital will maintain all the current services which include outpatients; pathology; physiotherapy; general; minor injuries and X-ray and will also contain a secondary care facility, which will provide a range of services.

Other aspects of the development have been scaled down, including the residential element, with original plans for 150 units cut back to 31 and the amount of retail space has been chopped in half, from 140,000 sq ft to 70,000 sq ft.

A 2,800-seater ice rink will be smaller than the original plans, dropping from 100,000 sq ft to 63,000 sq ft and there will be 710 car parking spaces instead of 845.

Nikal, owned by entrepreneur Alan Murphy, is progressing the scheme through a company called Exige Developments Ltd, and is advised by Manchester planning consultancy How Planning.

Jonny Wrigley, development director at Nikal, said: “The new application takes into account changes in access arrangements and density in response to a period of public engagement.

“It also builds in requirements of a number of occupiers with whom we're in advanced negotiations. The scheme will be a major catalyst for Altrincham's regeneration and includes provision for a hospital, hotel, restaurants, retail, offices a multi-storey car park and a permanent ice stadium for the Manchester Phoenix.

“Despite the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, Nikal is fully committed to the regeneration of Altrincham and breathing new life into the town.”

A report by John Suckley, principal planner at How Planning supporting the new application, said there had been a “significant reduction in the level of floor space proposed and the scale and massing of the buildings,” but in the main, the land use types were the same as the original consented scheme, with the addition of a new hospital and healthcare facility.

“The other main significant changes relate to a new vehicular access from Oakfield Road,” he said.

[jrb]

Place North West.

Nikal confirms hospital plans for Altair
11 Dec 2009, 08:44

HOW Planning has submitted a revised planning application for the Altair development in Altrincham town centre on behalf of Exige Developments, part of the Nikal group.



The plans contain the new Altrincham General Hospital and healthcare centre for Trafford NHS Trust, a major prelet deal which Nikal has been pursuing for the best part of a year.

HOW Planning, led by Gary Halman, secured approval for the major mixed-use retail-led development in August 2008.

In March 2009, Nikal, owned by paper tycoon Alan Murphy, bought out the shares of joint venture partner David McLean following the developer's collapse.

The revised plans incorporate all the land uses approved by the existing consent, but with a reduction in scale and mass to respond to feedback from the local community.

Jon Suckley at HOW Planning said: "This scheme has been specifically designed to complement the existing town centre and the revised planning application will further enhance this objective. The feedback from local residents has been taken on board and the revisions to the new application not only reflect this, but will also provide a major community benefit with the proposals for a new hospital and healthcare facility."

The six-acre development was designed by Ian Simpson Architects and will include 31 homes, 90,000 sq ft of offices, 70,000 sq ft of retail, both food and non-food, and a 125-bed hotel.

The original plan was for 160,000 sq ft of retail and 50,000 sq ft of offices.

The popular ice rink, home to Manchester Phoenix ice hockey team, will be redeveloped from its temporary home, provided several years ago by Nikal, into a permanent facility.

Work is due to start on the new development in late 2010 with a three to five-year development programme.

[jrb]

Full revised planning application below renders. See design and access statement PDF's for further renders and info.

Application Number. 74390/O/2009
Site Address. Land at Oakfield Road/Moss Lane, Altrincham
Application Type. Outline Planning Permission Development TypeOther Business

Proposal

Outline planning application (seeking approval of access with all other matters reserved) for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of mixed use development comprising up to : - hospital/health care facility (Classes C2/D1 - 5510 sq.m); ice rink (Class D2 - 6150 sq.m); food retail (Class A1 - 1380 sq.m); non-food retail, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways (Classes A1, A3, A4 and A5 - 5380 sq.m); residential (Class C3 - 31 apartments); offices (Class B1 - 8970 sq.m) management suite (Class B1 - 140 sq.m) hotel (Class C1 - 125 bedrooms); health club/gym (Class D2 - 370 sq.m); climbing wall (Class D2 - 310 sq.m); vehicle parking; associated plant and service areas; highway alterations and creation of new areas of public realm











http://planning.trafford.gov.uk/Nort...DAURI=PLANNING