The £250m Therme Manchester scheme will combine hundreds of water-based activities with wellbeing treatments, art, nature and technology to create a unique experience forecast to attract up to two million visitors per year.

Backer Therme Group hopes to open the 28-acre resort in 2023.

It will be built opposite intu Trafford Centre next to Barton Square, with a Metrolink station directly outside.

EventCity, which currently occupies part of the site, will be relocated and redeveloped as an events venue in TraffordCity.

Therme Manchester’s natural environment, with thousands of plants and trees, will be “created by world-leading designers, artists, architects and engineers to achieve the highest levels of experience, quality and sustainability.”

The heart of the project is a two-acre wellbeing garden in the shape of a Rose.

A large family zone will include waterslides, a wave pool, indoor and outdoor pools and steam rooms.

A dedicated adults’ area will have warm-water lagoons among spectacular botanical gardens, swim-up bars, therapeutic mineral baths and steam rooms and saunas.

Stelian Iacob, Senior Vice President of Therme Group Worldwide and CEO of Therme Group UK, said: “We are delighted that planning has been approved so we can bring the UK’s first Therme Group city wellbeing resort to Manchester.

“This will transform life for city residents and people further afield, creating a fun and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all.”

James Whittaker, Peel L&P Group Development Director, added: “The creation of Therme Manchester will bring an accessible, yet world class health and wellbeing attraction to the people of Greater Manchester and beyond.

“It will transform TraffordCity, bring fantastic employment opportunities as well as bolster the regional economy including tourism and be a key contributor to the Northern Powerhouse.”