Therme Group has teamed up with Peel L&P to deliver a project in Manchester at a cost of over £250 million and builds upon many elements in the existing planning consent.

In addition to a 'next generation' waterpark, thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa, these include immersive digital art, an on-site urban farm and botanical gardens. This combination of features highlights Therme's aim to be far more than just a waterpark and spa, but to create an integrated experience to benefit physical and mental health.

The updated plans adopt the very latest technology to make the development even more sustainable and deliver additional exciting features for visitors. They involve a greater integration of biophilic design elements, including double-curved roofs, which reduce the amount of steel required, increasing the sustainability of the development.

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The new design also includes a green 'vertical forest' multi-storey car park to be located at Peel L&P's Trafford Palazzo. This new addition removes the need for under-venue parking and, therefore, reduces the amount of excavation needed, simplifying the build process and lowering environmental impact.

New guest attractions include an all-season urban beach and the world’s first living waterslides to incorporate a 3D-printed superstructure housing thousands of plants. Innovative ‘welltech’ experiences will be available, such as a snow room, multi-sensory showers and oxygen rooms, and a visitor and education centre will welcome school and community groups for events on sustainability, food and nature.

The resort will have a major net gain in biodiversity with a 10,000 sq m wellbeing garden, a next-generation hydroponic vertical farm, more than 1,500 trees and roof-top beehives, producing honey for use in restaurants and wellbeing treatments.

Therme is aiming to submit a revised planning application in the summer. Construction of the development is scheduled to begin in 2023, with a build time of around two years.

Stelian Iacob, Senior Vice President of Therme Group and CEO of Therme Group UK, said: "The Covid period gave us the opportunity to update the design of Therme Manchester to create an even more sustainable, engaging and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all. We will continue to work with the Manchester community as we progress with the design and development."