A “once-in-a-lifetime regeneration scheme” is coming to Salford – but not everyone is impressed

Last summer, plans were shared to build one of the tallest skyscrapers in the country – in Salford.

Henley Investment Management’s (HIM) £1bn proposal at Regent Retail Park aims to change the area beyond recognition and redraw the city’s skyline.

It would create 3,300 homes, a 3.5-acre park and shops and leisure facilities in the northern part of the existing shopping centre, not including Sainsbury’s.

Regent Retail Park development

The tallest building in the scheme would stretch to a massive 273m in height – a landmark site towering above the city.

It would be a huge change and bosses say it would create a new community for everyone in Salford to enjoy and be part of.

But there has been a fierce backlash. In August, Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey urged the council to reject the scheme.

She outlined concerns in an open letter around affordable housing, the loss of local shops, and increased traffic congestion.

The tallest building in the UK

Ordsall Labour councillors are also campaigning against the application.

Coun Brendan Keville, who represents the Ordsall ward, said locals are worried their voices may not be heard through the planning process.

“While the investment is welcome, it’s about looking at this particular site,” he said.

“It’s not another brownfield site that’s not used, it’s part of the local economy. That’s why residents are very upset about it.”

Coun Keville submitted a petition against the plans at a Salford council meeting on January 15, signed by more than 200 people.

The petition raised concerns about potential increases in pollution and traffic congestion, as well as disruption from the construction work.

More than 300 people have submitted objections on Salford council’s planning portal against the development, with 22 comments in favour of the plans.

The developer behind the scheme said it is aware of the concerns and is working with the council and community to get the right balance with the application.

The future of Salford?

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.

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.’

Henley said the retail park plans will include affordable housing, and that talks are ongoing to decide how many of the 3,300 homes will fall into this category.

It also said all of the existing retailers have been invited to reopen at the planned development.

A target date for the decision has been set for February 7, but the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands this is unlikely.

It was supposed to be discussed by the council’s planning committee in November but got pushed back, and it is now hoped a decision on the development will be made by summer this year.

Whatever the outcome, the decision will have a major impact on the future of the city.

“A once-in-a-lifetime regeneration scheme”

A spokesperson from HIM 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-site, and 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.”

You can find out more about the plans here