Salford residential boom set to continue

Salford’s residential boom looks set to continue with councillors on the verge of approving the creation of a major mixed-use scheme in Salford Quays, a trio of private rented sector (PRS) towers rising up to 33 storeys off Chapel Street and a 44-storey skyscraper with 347 apartments in Greengate.On Thursday, 12 May 2016, Salford City Council’s planning committee will convene to examine a trio of eye-catching proposals.Among the schemes up for consideration is TH Real Estate’s outline application to redevelop Waterfront Quay, immediately to the west of the Salford Quays Metrolink stop, through a project known as Pier 7 (pictured). The 8.3-acre Waterfront Quay site currently features a variety of low-rise office buildings, which are on average half vacant.The proposed development would involve the loss of 122,709 sq ft of existing office space across five commercial buildings branded as Media Village, which aims to offer a flexible low-budget option for businesses wishing to locate in the Salford Quays/Media City area. The Holiday Inn Express, the only part of Waterfront Quay not included in the proposals, would be retained however.TH Real Estate is seeking outline consent to transform Waterfront Quay with a major residential-led mixed-use scheme. An illustrative masterplan accompanying the application features 702 one-, two- and three-bed apartments, 9,688 sq ft of commercial floor space split into three units at the eastern end of the site, a remodelling of the existing roadway to create a ‘garden street’ with pedestrian priority, a neighbourhood square next to the tram stop, a public space known as Dock Edge Plaza at the western end of the site, ten buildings of between seven and 18 storeys, two garden areas for residents, 323 car parking spaces, and 700 bicycle parking spaces.The proposed development would be undertaken in two phases, starting in the east.Ahead of Salford City Council’s meeting, a report prepared by planning officers has recommended that the scheme should be approved.Meanwhile, councillors are also set to debate a proposal by Embankment West, Ask Real Estate and Network Rail to demolish existing railway viaduct structures on a 1.9-acre site immediately to the north of Chapel Street, north-west of Greengate Square, west of the Embankment office development, and south of the railway line to make way for a new residential scheme.It is proposed to create 694 PRS apartments across towers rising 34, 26 and 13 storeys high. There would be 36 studios, 308 one-bed apartments, 286 two-bed apartments, and 64 three-bed apartments.The report has recommended that councillors should give the plans the green light.At the same meeting, Daren Whitaker’s full planning application to construct a 44-storey tower in Greengate will also be up for discussion.It envisages the regeneration of a 0.4-acre triangular site bordered by Trinity Way to the north west, the River Irwell to the east, a car park to the south east and the Abito apartment building to the south that was previously used for parking.The proposal features 48 one-bed apartments, 268 two-bed apartments, and 33 three-bed apartments. There would also be 5,113 sq ft of communal space for residents, 83 parking spaces, and 98 cycle parking spaces.The 44-storey tower proposal has been recommended for approval by councillors.