Housebuilder withdraws controversial British Vita plans
Plans have been withdrawn for 136 homes on the former British Vita works at Seaford Road, Broughton, after Salford Council planning officers criticised the proposals for a lack of local contributions.
The developer’s plans had proved to be controversial, with planning officers recommending refusal ahead of committee, arguing building on the site would “increase pressure on local amenities and services”.
Officers added Countryside’s offer of contributions to mitigate these impacts “falls significantly short of what is considered necessary” to allow the site to be developed.
“This shortfall would result in significant harm to the provision of local amenities and services and, therefore, the benefits of the scheme are not considered to outweigh this harm, particularly as the evidence is not considered to support a reduced contribution,” added the officers’ report.
Ahead of a potential refusal at committee, the applicants, SPVs of Countryside and Sigma Capital Property, decided to withdraw the scheme. The plans include the demolition of existing industrial buildings on the 5.4-acre site, which lies to the north of the David Lewis sports ground.
The homes will come in 72 two and three-bedroom houses and four-storey apartment blocks that will house 16 one-bedroom apartments and 48 two-bedroom apartments and will be funded by Sigma Capital Property.
Nexus Planning has advised the developer on the application, with Lanpro providing a heritage assessment and CBO advising on transport.
In its submission to the committee, Nexus had argued: “The proposals constitute the re-use of a dated industrial site in a poor state of repair which has been under-occupied for a significant period of time, despite extensive marketing.”
On behalf of Rock Asset Management, CBRE secured outline consent for up to 80 homes on the site in 2014, establishing the principle of development for residential.
