Salford gears up for enormous change with 67,000 new homes in the pipeline
The Council said areas such as Salford Quays and the city centre are earmarked as key areas for investment and expansion
Salford is gearing up for enormous changes with around 67,000 new homes in the pipeline over the next 20 years.
These will be spread across the borough, with places such as Salford Quays and the city centre earmarked as key areas for investment and expansion, the council said, alongside Salford’s towns.
It’s part of a plan known as the Salford growth and regeneration partnership, which comes at a time when Salford’s population is growing, and large redevelopment projects are taking place such as the £2.5bn Salford Crescent scheme.
The city is also set to benefit from changes as part of the western gateway project, where places in Salford and Trafford have been chosen as sites for new homes and businesses.
The 67,000 new homes in Salford over two decades will come from a mix of council projects alongside private developers, the town hall said. The figure was shared at a council meeting this week about investment in the borough.
‘In the next 20 years, further investment is anticipated to bring additional growth of circa 67,000 new homes and 1m sqm of commercial floorspace,’ a report stated.
‘Salford Quays, the western gateway, city centre Salford, town centres and RHS Bridgewater are the focus for capital investment to create the conditions to enable economic growth and job creation in the city.’
The plans include changes to Salford’s towns, with new visions for Swinton and Eccles set to move ahead.
Huge steps forward were taken in Eccles this year, with demolition work starting at the shopping centre, and the appointment of Muse as development partner for the project.
In central Salford, plans are also moving forward to bring thousands of new homes to the city, such as the recent approval of ten towers at Regent Retail Park, including building one of the UK’s tallest skyscrapers.
But the city is also under pressure with growing numbers of people at risk of homelessness and living in temporary accommodation.
The council report continued: ‘Additional resource is required to support the Salford growth and regeneration partnership and create marketing collateral to lobby and influence inward investment opportunities into the city.’
A Salford council spokesperson said: “The figure reflects a significant increase in housing stock across Salford. Whilst it is ambitious, it is based on forecasts, reflecting the recent successful housing delivery we have achieved, with over 14,500 new homes created in the city in the last five years.
“The projection also takes into account potential opportunities, demand and a planned accelerated trajectory of growth in the city. Delivering 67,000 new homes in the next 20 years will not be solely the council’s responsibility, but will include significant investment from others including private sector developers.
“The council is committed to working to alleviate the housing crisis by prioritising housing delivery to meet the needs of our residents. This is a reflection of our ambition to increase the quality, pace and scale of housing delivery and placemaking in the city, in turn helping to build local community wealth and growing the social economy.
“Our goal, as always, is to highlight that Salford is ready and open for future regeneration and development with a robust business mechanism in place to deliver.”