Citybranch wins battle for £10m Altrincham hospital

DEVELOPER Citybranch has won the race to deliver a new hospital in the centre of Altrincham for Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.

Citybranch had been competing with rival Manchester developer Nikal to provide a site for a new hospital to replace Altrincham General – a Victorian hospital building which was deemed by the local NHS Trust to have reached the end of its lifespan. It was promoting a site at Railway St, whereas Nikal was hoping the hospital would breathe life into its stalled Altair scheme.

Once the Trust gained funding approval from NHS North West yesterday, it announced that it would proceed with the Citybranch scheme.

The pair will now begin working on final designs for the hospital ahead of submitting a planning application to Trafford Council in the autumn or winter of this year. A decision is expected from planners by next spring, allowing a start on site next summer. Middlewich-based Pochin’s has already been appointed as Citybranch’s technical partner to build the hospital.

Citybranch director Adam Gross said: “We are absolutely delighted by this news.
“There has been unwavering support from the community and we truly believe that this is a great result for the local population.

“The new hospital will play a key role in regenerating Altrincham town centre and we are proud to be part of that.”

The new four-storey hospital will cost around £10m to build. It will contain some some basement parking on site with links to a multi-storey public car park next door.

Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge said: “This new hospital is a much needed facility for Altrincham and securing its future has always been the Council’s priority.

“Railway Street is an integral part of Altrincham Town Centre and our ambitious regeneration plans.