Hale Independent Issue 197

OCTOBER 2026 4 A SPECTACLED caiman has been seized from a property in Hale. The reptile, a species of crocodile native to Latin America, was removed from a semi-detached house after reports that it was being kept without a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence. Trafford Council’s envi- ronmental health team led the execution of a warrant alongside Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the RSPCA. Cllr Keleigh Glenton, Traf- ford Council’s Executive Mem- ber for Community Safety and Civil Contingencies, said: “The Council works hard to protect our neighbourhoods from a wide range of potential problems and safety threats. “Thanks to the work of our environmental health team and partners, the caiman has been carefully removed. “Species like this require sensitive, expert handling and proper environments and as such we require any owner to hold a Dangerous Wild Ani- mal Licence. “We do not hesitate to take decisive action when rules are not adhered to.” A python was also found at the property and taken by police for assessment under the Animal Welfare Act. Both animals were taken into the care of a vet that spe- cialises in reptiles before being transferred to a suitable zoo. Police Sergeant DeGouveia, GMP’sWildlife Subject Matter Expert, said: “This an excel- lent example of partnership PLANS have been unveiled for a huge newdata centre campus covering around 60 hectares of land in Lit- tle Bollington. Developer Innova is pro- posing the Spodegreen Data Centre on land south of Lymm Road, immediately north of the M56 and west of the A556. The site is within Little Bollington, which has an Altrincham postal address but falls administratively within Cheshire East. It would accommodate a campus-style development designed to allow multiple data centre operators to locate there. The emerging plans include data halls housing servers and other equipment, offices and security buildings, elec- tricity infrastructure and backup power generation. They also feature a district heating energy centre, an edu- cational facility known as a “Living Lab”, a solar farm, rooftop solar panels and solar canopies over parts of the site’s car parks. Large areas of landscaping and green infrastructure are proposed across the approxi- mately 60-hectare site. Data centres house the serv- ers and other infrastructure used to store and process the enormous quantities of infor- mation required for services including websites, apps, cloud computing, streaming, online banking and public services. Innova says its Spodegreen development is expected to sup- port approximately 350 full- time jobs once the campus is operational, as well as creating opportunities for businesses and suppliers across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. The company estimates the completed development could generate around £20 million in additional business rates for Cheshire East Council. It is also proposing a “Liv- ing Lab”, which would provide training space for staff and apprentices as well as host- ing teaching days and STEM events intended to encourage young people into technology, construction and environmen- tal careers. One element of the project currently being investigated is whether heat generated by the data centre could be captured and put to use elsewhere. Data centres generate substantial quantities of heat and require cooling sys- tems to keep their equip- ment operating. The Spodegreen proposals envisage a hybrid air and closed-loop water cooling sys- tem, which Innova says would keep water consumption to a minimum. The developer is assessing whether waste heat could be used by nearby businesses or other properties through a local heat network. Heat would also potentially be used within the site’s offices and Living Lab. A solar array is proposed on land to the west of Coe Lane, alongside rooftop solar panels and solar canopies over sec- tions of the car parks. According to Innova, the solar farm would generate the equivalent amount of electricity required by the district heating energy centre, offices and Living Lab, while the car park canopies would help provide power for electric vehicle charging. The data centre itself would connect directly to the local electricity grid. The developer says the scheme will be “land- scape-led”, with existing trees and hedgerows retained and enhanced where possible. Plans include new wood- land and wildlife habitats as well as substantial green buff- ers around the development. A planning application is currently expected to be submitted to Cheshire East Council during 2026/27. A PRIMARY school in Altrincham is one of sev- eral Trafford buildings leading the way in low-car- bon changes by swapping out all its light fittings and replacing them with energy efficient LEDs. Pupils of Navigation Pri- mary School in Hawarden Road, Altrincham, are now enjoying fresh and well-lit spaces – while staff are getting ready to count fuel bill savings. LED lights typically use a quarter or less of the elec- tricity needed for standard, incandescent bulbs and more buildings in Trafford are beginning to make the switch. They include Urmston Library which is now all LED, Sale West Community Cen- tre, which has work ongoing, plus Brentwood School and College and Gorse Hill Pri- mary School. Leisure centres in Trafford are also already lit mainly by LEDs. The management at A FORMER children’s nursery in Hale is to be converted into a 24-hour respite centre for young people with addi- tional needs. Trafford Council has granted planning permis- sion for BeKind Care Ltd to transform the former Hon- eybear Nursery at 160-160A Moss Lane. The facility will provide planned and emergency short breaks and overnight care for up to five children and young people under the age of 18. It will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the applicant describing it as a “home from home” for chil- dren with additional needs. The plans attracted objec- tions from 10 neighbouring households and were called in for consideration by Trafford’s Planning and Development Management Committee by a local councillor over parking and highways concerns. Residents also raised con- cerns about potential noise and disturbance from the round-the-clock operation, including staff shift changes, professional and family vis- its, deliveries and vehicle movements during evenings and overnight. However, the council’s report noted that objectors did not oppose the principle of providing specialist respite care for vulnerable children, with concerns instead focused on the operation and potential intensity of the use. Trafford Children’s Ser- vices supported the proposal, telling planners there was “a high demand for local over- night respite” and that the new centre would help address a gap in provision. It added that BeKind was already known to the service and had a “strong record in supporting children with addi- tional needs”. According to planning doc- uments, the centre will pro- vide short breaks for children with a range of learning dis- abilities and needs, including autism, attachment difficul- ties and social communica- tion difficulties. Children will be supervised according to individual care plans and risk assessments, with external activities super- vised by staff. The applicant said activ- ity would reduce during the evening, with quiet hours typ- ically observed from around 8pm. Around five staff are expected to be present dur- ing the day and evening, with approximately three overnight. ONE Tra f ford has announced its partnership with local charity, Chil- dren’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT). The charity, based in south Trafford, offers respite for children, young people and families whose lives may be impacted by illness, complex medical needs, special educa- tional needs, disability and social disadvantage. One Trafford Partnership will spend the next 12 months volunteering, fund- raising and offering support to CAFT. The partnership was chosen by One Trafford colleagues as part of their commitment to build meaningful rela- tionships with local chari- ties. Some of the team have already planned their first fundraiser, walking 10 miles along the canal fromDunham Massey to Cornbrook. Farm Trust link-up Caiman and python seized from house NEWSINBRIEF ALTRINCHAM Retail Park has changed hands as part of an £88 million deal. US investment firm Hines has bought the 228,000 sq ft park from St James’s Place. The tenants include Lidl, Boots, B&Q and B&M. The Altrincham site was the largest of three retail parks Hines has acquired for its European Core Fund. The others are in Edinburgh and London. Hines is understood to have paid a combined £88 million for the Altrincham and Edinburgh parks. The London price has not been disclosed. A TIMPERLEY man has been jailed for 20 months after sexually assaulting three women in Manchester. Nisan Kurukulasuriya, 39, of Troutbeck Road, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of outraging public decency. Alongside his prison sentence, Kurukulasuriya was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. GET ready for a fee-fi- fo-fum-filled adventure as Altrincham’s Planet Ice announces its spectacular 2026 on ice production of Jack and the Beanstalk. This year’s production promises to scale new heights with a fresh, modern adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Audiences can look forward to spectacular effects and stunning costumes. There are two performances taking place, the matinee performance at 1pm and evening performance at 7pm Tuesday 8th December. CANAL Road, Green Walk and sections of Hale Road are among a number of Altrincham- area roads earmarked for resurfacing as part of a new £4.99 million Trafford Council highways programme. Former nursery set to become respite centre Data centre campus planned Head teacher Karen Grant is pictured with pupils from the school’s EcoWarriors group, and new lights in the library (Image: Trafford Council) Eco-friendly school is shining brightest… working between GMP, the RSPCA and Trafford Council. “The swift and coordinated response from all agencies involved ensured that the animals were safely secured, removed and can now look for- ward to a brighter future in more suitable accommodation. “I would like to thank the Altrincham Neighbourhood Team, RSPCA and Trafford Council for their support, professionalism and commit- ment. There efforts have made Lyle the Caiman (Image: Trafford Council) a significant difference to the welfare and future of the ani- mals involved.” The animal, called Lyle, was found in an enclosure with water during the operation. The RSPCA has raised concerns about the keeping of wild and potentially dangerous animals in domestic settings. Evie Button, the RSPCA’s exotic animals expert, said: “We’re pleased that both rep- tiles are now receiving spe- cialist care but we remain deeply concerned that so many dangerous wild animals continue to be kept in private hands across Britain.” Navigation Primary School, built in the early 2000s, devel- oped a proposal for changes after problems with failing and expensive lighting that was difficult to upkeep. They were prioritised for a grant from Trafford Council to help with the cost of replac- ing all 180 light fittings. Staff from Council partner Amey, under the One Traf- ford Partnership, conducted an electrical survey followed by the refit, inside and out – from the smallest cupboard to the school hall and exte- rior lights – which is now almost complete. School manager, Rachel Pleasant, said: “LED lights are definitely the way things are going. I was given the task of looking for ways that we could reduce carbon and costs and this was one really good idea that we progressed. “It took a while in the plan- ning and having the work done but we are nearly there now! Some of our pupils are very eco-conscious and have been excited to learn about our new lighting, and every- one is enjoying the bright, fresh interiors and grounds that the new lighting affords.”