300,000 sq ft Salford industrial scheme pulled

Cole Waterhouse has ended its interest in redeveloping a 15-acre site close to the Salford Community Stadium.

The developer acquired the plot from Peel in 2022 subject to planning and lodged plans for a 300,000 sq ft industrial scheme a few months later.

However, Cole Waterhouse has now withdrawn the application having been unable to make it stack up.

A spokesperson for the developer, which recently lodged plans for an 857-home development in Trafford, said: “Cole Waterhouse had exchanged contracts to acquire the site, subject to securing satisfactory planning consent.

“Despite our best efforts, unfortunately, we haven’t been able to agree on an application which would be commercially viable and we have therefore decided with Salford City Council to withdraw the planning application.”

The land will remain under Peel’s ownership for the time being. However, Salford City Council is in line to take control of the site as part of its plans to buy Peel out of the stadium and surrounding development plots.

Speaking when the acquisition was agreed in September, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said it was “rooted in strategic redevelopment, regeneration, skills and work and job opportunities, health and well-being, community engagement, and supporting grassroots sports.”

He also gave clues as to how the redevelopment might look. Dennett added: “Through sole ownership, we’ll be able to open up this area of the city for future redevelopment and regeneration of the adjacent development land plots.

“This will create new jobs, deliver social value and attract significant private sector investment, all of which will be vital for the city and local communities.”

Salford City Council and Peel were contacted for comment about Cole Waterhouse’s decision to withdraw it plans.