MediaCity office scheme recommended for go-ahead

Plans for an 11-storey office building and commercial floorspace at MediaCity in Salford have been lined up for approval.Peel Media is behind the application to Salford City Council for the one-acre site known as Plot C3, White.The office building would have a roof top plant and at ground floor level there would be three entrances. Four commercial spaces are proposed with a combined floorspace of approximately 9,000 sq ft.Ground floor space would also be used for back of house equipment, bin storage and cycle storage for 283 cycles.The office space is located on the upper floors, where the scheme would provide about 300,000 sq ft of grade A office space including co-working.Also included is a large area of new public realm which would be located to the front of the building. New connections through the site and opportunities for outdoor seating and landscaping would also feature.As part of the public realm works, on-street car parking and servicing would be redesigned. The project would provide for ten disabled car parking spaces and two servicing lay-bys.A city council officer’s report has made a recommendation to approve the application subject to conditions.The report added: “This proposal seeks planning consent to provide a further block of development within Media City. The proposed office-led development, with commercial ground floor space, is acceptable in principle.”The development provides an opportunity to add to the vibrancy of Media City and support economic growth.”The planning application was lodged in July on behalf of joint venture partners of Landsec and Peel L&P.It represents the first scheme to be brought forward following the major investment from Landsec and the opportunity for this to act as a catalyst for the next phase of regeneration.Salford’s planning and transportation regulatory panel will discuss the application at a meeting on Thursday 6 October.