Green light for key element of £2.5bn Crescent Salford masterplan

Salford City Council has approved Crescent Innovation, a key element of the £2.5bn 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan.

The Crescent partnership, comprising Salford City Council, the University of Salford, and English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – is behind the scheme which includes 933 new homes, 1.7 million sq ft of new commercial innovation, academic, and research floorspace, active ground-floor space, and a new movement hub, along with significant improvements to public spaces.

Creating a high quality innovation ecosystem around the University of Salford, Crescent Innovation will help drive further economic growth in the city and wider region and facilitate enhanced links between academia, research, and business.

Spanning 29 acres between Broughton Road East and University Road, Crescent Innovation will be linked to the wider masterplan by Salford Rise – a near five-acre podium which will span Frederick Road. Laying the foundations for connectivity and collaboration, Salford Rise will act as a key gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and the wider innovation zone.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “With our Crescent partners – ECF and University of Salford – we are pushing ahead with our vision to create world class research and development facilities that local people and businesses can benefit from.

“The Crescent Innovation proposals are a key element of the wider vision for the Crescent area and will change the face of the area through the creation of a high quality innovation environment, where people can achieve their full potential.

“I look forward to seeing our vision delivered on the ground.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, Prof Nic Beech, said: “This is a major milestone in our shared mission to transform Salford into a global hub for innovation and groundbreaking research.

“Working alongside our Crescent partners, we are committed to advancing our vision of creating world class facilities that will benefit local residents and businesses. I am thrilled that this significant planning application has been approved and eagerly anticipate seeing our shared vision come to life.”

Max Bentham, Development Director at ECF, said: “The approval of the plans for Crescent Innovation marks a significant step forward in our collective mission to make Salford a global hub for innovation and groundbreaking research.

“The city has always been a pioneer of industry, and the creation of Crescent Innovation will equip Salford – and the wider region – with the facilities and opportunities to make an impact on the world stage, as well as driving growth and prosperity.”

Crescent Innovation forms one aspect of the Crescent masterplan being delivered by ECF in partnership with Salford City Council and the University of Salford.

It will bring together industry, education, and the local community by delivering more than 3,000 homes, one million sq ft of offices, retail, leisure, a new multi-model transport hub, and vast areas of green space.

The site is located within Salford’s Innovation Triangle, which is made up of Salford Quays and MediaCity, the University of Salford, and Salford Royal Hospital.

The go-ahead for Crescent Innovation follows the completion of three world leading university facilities – the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering, and Environment (SEE) building, and Energy House 2.0.

CBRE advised ECF on planning for Crescent Innovation, while Make Architects is leading on design.