Trafford Council has brought in property specialists Savills to develop new plans for the long-stalled Oakfield Road development site, more than 16 years after the original Altair scheme was first proposed.
The council regained control of the 4.5-acre town centre site earlier this year after the previous developer, Nikal, failed to deliver on its £70 million vision despite holding the land for over a decade.
The appointment of Savills Manchester marks the latest chapter in what has become one of Altrincham’s most protracted development sagas.
The site, which was originally earmarked for a mixed-use scheme including apartments, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities, has remained largely undeveloped since demolition work began in the late 2000s.
The Altair project has faced numerous setbacks since plans were first unveiled in 2008. The global financial crisis initially stalled progress, and subsequent attempts to revive the scheme have foundered despite multiple redesigns and contractor changes.
The delays have had real consequences for would-be residents. Dozens of people put down deposits totalling thousands of pounds for apartments that were never built, with some still waiting to recover their money years later.
Councillor Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, acknowledged the frustration caused by the previous failures.
“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,” she said.
The council has committed to consulting with residents and businesses on what they would like to see happen at the site.
Savill says the project will aim 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”.
Adam Mirley, head of Savills Manchester’s development team, said the site had “huge potential to deliver something truly special for Altrincham.”
The consultancy has assembled a team including LDA Design for masterplanning and urban design, and Civic Engineers for infrastructure planning. The group has worked on similar projects across Greater Manchester, including regeneration schemes in Newton Heath and Middleton.
The new approach comes at a time when Altrincham has successfully transformed itself into one of the UK’s most desirable places to live, largely through independent businesses and carefully managed regeneration of areas like the market.
With the town centre now thriving, residents and local politicians have questioned whether the original Altair vision - focused on chain retailers and large-scale commercial development - remains appropriate.
Green Party councillor Michael Welton has previously suggested that any new development should prioritise housing, particularly affordable homes, rather than the commercial elements that dominated earlier proposals.
The council has not yet indicated when the new masterplan will be completed or when public consultation might begin. Given the site’s troubled history, there is likely to be considerable local interest in ensuring any new proposals are both viable and deliverable.
