The Leeds-based development consortium stripped of its right to develop a five-acre chunk of Altrincham town centre has said it is “concerned” about the way the decision was handled.
Trafford Council reversed its decision to award St James Securities and Sterling Capitol preferred developer status on the “Station Location” site last week.
A joint venture between North West-based David McLean and Nikal has been installed as their replacement.
The council’s new Conservative administration, which took control after ousting Labour in June’s local elections, is understood to have disagreed with the previous Labour-run cabinet over Sterling-St James’ winning bid.
Roland Stross, director of St James Securities, said the St James-Sterling joint venture was “very disappointed” with the decision.
He said: “This is a very unusual position to be in. We are concerned with the way this has been done. We are concerned with the deliverability of the alternative proposals, and whether they are right for Altrincham.”
Sterling-St James is not planning any specific action at this stage, but Stross warned: “We will be keeping a close watch on what is going on.”
Sterling-St James had planned a mixed-use scheme to include 200,000 sq ft of retail, 53,000 sq ft of leisure, 900 residential units and a three-star hotel on the site at Oakfield Road.
A council spokesman said the two bids were “reassessed and certain aspects of both proposed schemes clarified” before McLean-Nikal were declared the winning bidder.
McLean-Nikal plans a scheme comprising an 85-bedroom hotel, 65,000 sq ft of residential, 20,000 sq ft of offices, 190,000-sq ft of retail and leisure and a further 80,000 sq ft ice ring and “extreme sports” centre, called Venture Xtreme.
The scheme will be designed by Ian Simpson Architects, whose other projects include Manchester’s Urbis museum.
McLean-Nikal refused to comment on the process by which they were awarded the Station Location site.
John Kendrick, director of David McLean, said: “We are looking forward to the opportunity of working with Trafford Council over the coming months to develop the scheme.”
The council’s decision is subject to a three month “cooling off” period, in which it will make final legal and financial checks before entering into a long-term contract with McLean-Nikal.
References: EGi News 01/11/04
