Plans approved for first of Ask’s Greengate buildings

THE first building at Ask Developments/Network Rail’s Greengate scheme has gained planning consent.

Salford City Council’s planning committee yesterday approved proposals for the 200,000 sq ft Grade A 101 Embankment development which includes a 445-space multi-storey car park.

The build programme has been facilitated by the city council, which has signed a head lease for around half of the space in the building.

However, chief executive Barbara Spicer has already pledged that the council will not occupy the site and that it will be able to reassign the lease as the commercial property market improves.

101 Embankment will be built to BREEAM Excellent office standards and will be completed by Spring 2014.

Work has already begun on public realm improvements at the site, which will provide better links between Salford and Manchester City centre once complete, linking the two cities via the area around Manchester’s cathedral.

Alan Burke, director at Ask Developments, said; “The continued strength of the occupier market in the city centre and the lack of new Grade A space likely to be available in 2013/14 gives both Salford City Council and ourselves the confidence that now is the right time to be planning speculative development.

“We are working closely with Salford City Council and Network Rail to deliver our joint ambitions for this landmark site.”

David Biggs, director of property at Network Rail, said: “The number of people using Manchester Victoria is set to double by 2019. Network Rail’s plans for investment at the station will help stimulate the requirement for high-quality commercial office space in the heart of the city.

“We’ve been working with Ask Developments, and Salford City Council on this project for several years and we’re pleased that work on the public realm is now on site. This development, along with our plans for the station, will be key to the wider regeneration of the north of the city.”