Partners join forces for ‘ambitious and accelerated’ Salford regen
Homes England, the city council, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority are to establish a forum alongside private sector partners to deliver at least 67,000 homes over the next two decades and “supercharge” regeneration across the city.
Following a period of significant growth over the last five years, which has seen the delivery of 14,500 homes and 2.3m sq ft of commercial space across the city, Salford City Council recognises it must do more to keep pace with the needs of a growing population.
As a result, the authority has identified a new model of partnership working “setting out an even more ambitious and accelerated regeneration programme”, according to the city council.
It is hoped the regeneration forum will bring together key public sector stakeholders and private sector partners in a coordinated way and “supercharge and prioritise support for the council and the city”, a GMCA report on the formation of the forum states.
A Salford City Council spokesperson said, “Taking stock of the successful development and regeneration that has taken place across Salford in the last 20 years, the council, alongside its important public sector partners the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Homes England, have identified a new way of working and have proposed the formation of a new Strategic Regeneration Partnership for the city.
“The partnership will help to increase the quality, pace and scale of housing delivery and placemaking in the city, in turn helping to build local community wealth and growing the social economy. It will mean that Salford is ready and open for future regeneration and development with a robust business mechanism in place to deliver.”
Salford, GMCA, and Homes England are to sign a memorandum of understanding that sets out the principles of the partnership, namely to identify and unlock opportunities to deliver growth and regeneration in Salford.
The forum could push for infrastructure projects, as well as housing. Credit: via masterplan documents
With Salford Central, Salford Crescent, and MediaCity already very much in the city council’s regeneration crosshairs, the next wave of projects could see areas such as Eccles and Swinton town centres, and Liverpool Street benefit from the city’s pursuit of growth.
The city council is in talks with private sector developers to be part of the new model as strategic regeneration partners.
The private sector partners, due to be announced later this year, will deliver projects in line with the city council’s regeneration objectives and social values as set out in the Salford Way, the authority’s strategy for inclusive growth across the city.
Salford City Council alone will be responsible for appointing development partners and will do so by way of individual overarching partnering agreements for each project.
As well as housing and employment schemes, the regeneration forum will also drive infrastructure projects, such as linking the Salford Crescent innovation zone with MediaCity by Metrolink.
The forum is the latest place-focused delivery vehicle supported by the combined authority. Others include Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation and Atom Valley Board.
An MDC model was considered for Salford but it was decided that a bespoke forum was the best option for the city.
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Analysis - Commentary
Building inclusive growth The Salford Way
Recent years have seen unprecedented change to Salford’s economy and labour market, as the city emerges as one of the fastest growing places in the North. That isn’t a coincidence, writes Matthew Ainsworth of Salford City Council.
Very encouraging and seems to be a lot going on, Eccles is certainly an area that is going to be the next to boom. Surely an easy Metrolink Extension would be to carry it on straight out of Eccles through the bus station and then down Liverpool Road to Peel Green, then looping round onto the proposed Stop at the AJ Bell Stadium.
By Bob
I hope “Partners” ate taking new facilities into consideration along with all these prospective homes. More families will need more shops, surgeries, dentists, pharmacies, social places, schools etc.
By Resident.
As far as I’m aware Salford Crescent, and media city haven’t got any social housing on them. The average monthly rental in the quays is around £800 to £1200.
By Mike Allcock
This is very exiciting. Eccles and Swinton have tonnes of potential by the way.
Liverpool St is an interesting one, do they not mean Liverpool Rd? As in the Liverpool Rd Corridor Strategy?
By Anonymous
Very positive news, let’s hope future partners are selected on their history and proven record and not Keepmoat as they do not deliver and their social values are non existent, greater scrutiny is needed on previous partners.
By Resident
Always fascinated by the Metrolink from Media City through Salford Quays. It’s a great idea, but pointless that it doesn’t go through to the city centre as well. This line really needs to connect to Victoria. That would allow a hugely useful, quick link to Salford Crescent from the city and an alternative route through to Media City
By Jo
@bob more likely that an extension to AJ Bell stadium would be from the Trafford Centre
By Levelling Up Manager
A forum of this nature, bringing all stakeholders together, is an excellent idea. I hope residents are included too.
By Bernard Fender .
I like what they have done with the park here. This area has some the best architecture in GM. The Georgian crescent is a mess and totally under-utilised. The river is ripe for some decent gentrification.
By Elephant
This can’t come soon enough
By Anonymous
Swinton has so much potential, it just needs a bit of TLC and it could really take off.
By Chloe