Theme Manchester, Trafford City

The Opportunity

Theme Manchester is a landmark wellbeing resort proposed at TraffordCity, directly opposite the Trafford Centre. Occupying a 28-acre site and with a reported project value of approximately £450–500 million, the development is set to become one of the UK’s largest urban wellbeing destinations.

The scheme will bring together a diverse range of leisure and wellness facilities, including thermal pools, waterslides, saunas, steam rooms, wellbeing gardens, restaurants, leisure attractions and extensive public realm, creating a unique destination focused on health, relaxation and recreation.

Our Approach

Anstey Horne provided Party Wall and neighbourly matters consultancy services in support of the proposed development, advising the client and wider professional team on the statutory and neighbourly considerations associated with delivering a major leisure-led scheme on a complex urban site.

A key project consideration was the development’s relationship with surrounding infrastructure, including the potential impact on the local tram network. Our role involved reviewing the proposed works, identifying adjoining ownerships and establishing an appropriate Party Wall strategy to facilitate the development while effectively managing risk to neighbouring assets and interests.

The Party Wall process centred primarily on the proposed excavation works, with up to 11 adjoining owners potentially affected. This required careful coordination of technical information, early engagement with adjoining owners and their appointed surveyors, and the negotiation of appropriate protections to enable the works to proceed efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Through proactive management of statutory and neighbourly matters, our involvement helped reduce the risk of delay, safeguard critical neighbouring infrastructure and support the successful delivery of a nationally significant leisure and wellbeing destination.