Trafford councillors have voted to move ahead with new homes as the preferred vision for Altrincham's Planet Ice site, with more than 100 homes potentially built there.
At its cabinet meeting last night, the council weighed up two competing proposals for the land off Oakfield Road. The first was a residential-led scheme, while the second would have seen a retail-led approach, expected to include a large food store or supermarket.
Site stalled since 2007
The land, near Altrincham Interchange, currently comprises the Planet Ice ice rink and around 320 parking spaces. Development has stalled since 2007, despite a series of proposals including offices, a hotel, shops, a hospital, a bowling alley and a leisure centre.
None of the schemes ever materialised, and developer Nikal went into administration in 2023. Trafford council acquired the site in 2024, paying a little more than £2m for it.
Residential-led vision backed
Cabinet members voted last night to move ahead with new homes as their preferred vision. Some ground-floor retain uses could also be incorporated into this approach, documents state. The ice rink would be expected to remain under the proposals, which remain in the early stages.
Noting the importance of the car park for the neighbouring Move Altrincham site, Trafford council has said it would also look at offering alternative parking in the form of a multi-storey hub.
Concerns raised over viability
Addressing the cabinet, lead member for economy and regeneration Liz Patel called this a 'once-in-a-generation regeneration opportunity'. However, opposition councillors raised concerns over the financial viability of the scheme and site preparation.
Next steps for the council are to survey and de-risk the site, with this expected to cost around £400,000. Conservative leader of the opposition Nathan Evans said: "We've not got a good track record at de-risking. By the time we finish, we'll be what? Probably £2.5m in.
"What are we anticipating getting for this site? Or are we anticipating doing the development ourselves? I just genuinely don't believe we've got the skill set to do this."
Conservative councillor Dylan Butt added: "If funding's not secured, the project may stall or require a different form of development. So, what's the estimated funding gap for the preferred residential option? What level of GMCA or Homes England support is assumed in the appraisal?
"Extensive site investigation [is recommended] to understand ground conditions, foundations, drainage, and engineering-type constraints. This suggests uncertainty around the development costs.
"Unexpected remediation or infrastructure costs could significantly reduce land value or viability. So, what are the main unknown technical risks currently affecting the appraisal?"
Coun Patel said she believes the council 'absolutely does have the skill and the track record of delivering across the borough'.
Next steps and delivery options
Work is still ongoing to determine whether the scheme should be delivered by the council or by an external company, corporate director of place Richard Roe added. Work on costs and funding details are also still to be determined.
Mr Roe continued: "I think any development on brownfield land comes inherently with a significant amount of challenge around how you bring that forward, and hence the requirement for site investigation. So, we haven't done a detailed site investigation.
"That's part of what we need to do. That will help us then understand the quantum and scale of groundwork required, and ultimately what form of development that we can take place.
"So, this next stage is very much about building up our understanding, our knowledge of the base. It is fairly standard for the type of approach that we would take of a development of this nature, and similar to the work that we've done on similar sites elsewhere in the borough."
