Plans for Britain's largest water park, with dozens of slides and swim-up bars, have been given the green light.
The £250 million Therme spa facility - set to open across 28 acres in Manchester in 2023 - will become the UK's first city-based wellbeing resort after being approved last week.
The attraction will be twice the size of the company's wellbeing centre in Bucharest, Romania, which opened in 2016, with land for the huge scheme earmarked next to the Trafford Centre.
Blueprints currently boast 25 pools, over 35 slides and 30 saunas and steam rooms, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The current largest indoor water park in the country is Blackpool's Sandcastle Waterpark, which has 18 slides.
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The proposed Therme facility will also have a weekly timetable of exercise classes, with plans including the installation of beehives on the rooftop.
The developers hope to use local honey in the on-site food offerings as well as in spa treatments.
There will also be a 10,000sqm botanical garden.
The centre is set to combine water-based activities with wellbeing treatments, art, nature and technology to create a unique experience "never before seen in the UK" and tap into the staycation boom.
Bosses say the development is still on track for a 2023 opening, although building work remains at a preliminary stage on the site.
It is being planned at the space next to Barton Square.
There will be a dedicated adults’ area with warm water lagoons among botanical gardens, swim-up bars, therapeutic mineral pools and luxurious steam rooms and saunas.
Bosses say all Therme Group resorts use state-of-the-art plant-based filtration to purify the environment.
Richard Land, the firm's chief development officer, said: "Therme Group is based on a belief that wellbeing should be accessible for all.
"The events of 2020 have shone a light on the necessity of this mission, especially for those in cities.
"Therme Manchester will redefine city wellbeing, enhancing mental and physical health through an experience based in water and nature.
"It will offer a unique holiday at home, that acts as a catalyst for healthy lifestyles.”
It comes as plans were approved last month for another huge water-based facility at the Trafford Centre itself, with a £60 million surfing lagoon on Barton Dock Road.
Plans for Modern Surf were approved last week. It is also aiming to open in 2023.
Therme bosses say they are doing everything possible to protect against Covid-19 at all of their destinations, and expect to welcome over 1.5m visitors to the Manchester site once open.
The Therme Group has already confirmed plans to roll out similar wellbeing resorts across the UK, including in Wales, London and Scotland, as well as in North America and the Asia-Pacific.
The UK-wide expansion is expected to create around 3000 jobs.
Pricing for access to the centre has not yet been revealed, but bosses say they are aiming to keep it 'affordable' for all.
