Calls for plans to build one of UK’s tallest towers over Salford retail park to be rejected
Henley Investment Management has earmarked Regent Retail Park for a £1bn regeneration scheme
Residents, councillors and an MP in Salford have called for plans to build one of the UK’s tallest towers over a retail park to be rejected.
Henley Investment Management (HIM) has earmarked Regent Retail Park for a £1bn regeneration scheme that would create 3,300 new homes spread across ten new tower blocks, the tallest up to 273m in height.
But the scheme has faced a backlash from the community, with thousands signing petitions against the proposals with concerns about losing local shops.
Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey said the change would cause “clear detriment” to the community.
Speaking at a public meeting at St Clements Church Hall on January 25, she criticised the scheme over a lack of affordable housing and potential to add to “the street parking nightmare” that local residents face.
“We need more amenities and social infrastructure – instead it will demolish a busy retail park which plays a vital role in the local economy, offering employment to a significant number of people and providing essential services to the community,” she said.
“Sadly it is clear that this development as it stands is not what the local area desperately needs and I am right behind local residents and councillors in objecting to it.”
Ordsall councillor Brendan Keville has also criticised the plans.
He said the retail park is “packed every day serving tens of thousands of shoppers” and that “10 years of construction” would cause major disruption to residents.
For its part, the developer said all existing retail tenants at the site have been invited back to the new development, and that affordable housing will be part of the scheme.
While the proposal is in its early stages, it fits into Salford council’s local development plan for the future of the city.
The council hopes to build a total of 9,000 homes in the Ordsall, Quays, Pendleton and Charlestown area by 2042 – including a plan to ‘redevelop Regent Road local centre’ with new greenspace, shops, services, and ‘high density housing.’
HIM added that it is aware of the concerns and is working with the council and community to get the right balance with the application.
It is still an ‘outline’ application at this stage for the overall principle of the proposal, with many of the details set to be decided at a later stage subject to council approval.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands HIM is working with Salford council on the numbers of affordable housing which could be included in the scheme, looking at other developments in the city where up to 20 percent of the total number of homes were priced below market rates.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “Regent Park is a once in a lifetime regeneration scheme that has the potential to transform the future of Ordsall, Salford, and beyond.
“It signifies a billion-pound investment in the future of the local centre, creating a diverse, vibrant, and exciting new community for everyone to enjoy.
“Centred around a 3.5-acre park, Regent Park local centre will provide shops, services, health and leisure facilities, and dedicated community space, as well as a mix of sustainable, high-density new homes.
“We are delighted to have invited all existing retail tenants back to the site as part of the plans and we are in discussions with a number of current occupiers who are interested in returning.
“Henley is working with the local authority to deliver a mix of residential types, including affordable homes, on the site, providing much needed homes for everyone. We look forward to working with Salford Council as well as local stakeholders as we progress into detailed design and bring Salford’s new local centre to life.”