Next stage of £1bn Middlewood Locks scheme granted planning approval
The next significant stage of the £1bn Middlewood Locks scheme has been approved by Salford City Council today (March 3).
Regeneration specialist Scarborough Group International (SGI) submitted proposals last July for the next phases at the 25-acre mixed-use development that already has more than 1,200 residents in occupation.
Plans for the next phase of the development include residential and commercial facilities, and large areas of public realm for the remaining 10-acre plot of land that connects the existing community at Middlewood Locks and Salford through the Ordsall Chord railway arches to Manchester city centre.
The first reserved matters consent includes 659 apartments in two blocks, one to be part 28-storeys and part 10-storeys linked by a podium garden and the other part 32-storeys and part 11-storeys, alongside ground and first floor commercial space of around 18,000 sq ft.
The second reserved matters consent is for 250 apartments within an L-shaped building that steps down from 15 storeys to 11 storeys. There will be a 4,500 sq ft commercial space provision with extensive canalside public realm for residents and visitors.
A new landscaped public square with event space linking the two plots is also included in the plans.
SGI development director, Paul Kelly, said: “This is fantastic news for us and our joint venture partners as we commit to complete our 13-year commitment to curate one of the largest new urban communities in Greater Manchester.
“These next phases will complete the missing link, connecting Middlewood Locks with a seamless transition to the bustle of Manchester city centre.”
Middlewood Locks is a joint venture between Scarborough Group International, Metro Holdings Limited, a Singapore-listed property development and investment group, and Hualing Group, based in Urumqui, Xinjiang, in China.
When completed, it will provide homes and commercial space, offices, an hotel, shops, restaurants, multi-storey car park and gym.
SGI has also submitted an updated outline application for the remaining neighbourhood. This includes the potential to deliver a combination of significant Grade A workspace and more contemporary new homes.
The site is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs for the area.
Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (BCEGI) is the construction partner, while Whittam Cox Architects is design partner and Zerum is the scheme’s planning advisor.
