Plans for a huge skyscraper development in Salford won’t help the city’s housing crisis and should be rejected, Rebecca Long-Bailey has said.
Henley Investment Management has submitted plans to build 3,300 homes at Salford Regent Retail Park, creating new commercial space, a public park, and a skyscraper more than 70 stories tall.
But Salford’s MP said the £1 billion scheme will not deliver any affordable homes and could make the city’s housing crisis worse. She said it could lead to a loss of jobs and create parking problems, as it has the potential for 6,000 new residents coming to the area, with 600 parking spaces included in the plans.
She added that there are more than 6,000 people on the city’s housing register, and that the proposed development could “exacerbate the housing crisis by excluding lower-income residents.”
In a letter to Salford City Council, she called for the plans to be rejected for not ensuring 20 percent of the planned homes are ‘affordable’ housing, which is a requirement in Salford’s local plan.
“These plans won’t help tackle the urgent need for social and affordable housing, won’t help with the loss of shops, existing employment and parking, and will drastically impact Salford’s skyline,” Ms Long-Bailey said.
“Whilst residents and I support fully the urgent need for housing, it is essential that any proposed development aligns with the policies laid out in the Salford local plan, is sympathetic to the interests of the existing communities, and helps to address the housing crisis in Salford.”
She added that the development would lead to the loss of the existing retail park which plays “a vital role in the local economy,” and that the application “will likely lead to parking issues in nearby communities, increasing traffic congestion and negatively affecting the quality of life for current residents.”
Salford Liberal Democrats also criticised the plans.
A party spokesperson said:
“Coun Paul Heilbron, leader of the Salford Liberal Democrats and councillor of the Quays ward, along with Coun Jonathan Moore, also from the Quays ward, have been advocating for a fair use of the site that prioritises the interests of the residents.
“The prolonged campaign is calling for the developers to think again about their proposals.
“The current plans see 3,300 flats to be built across ten separate apartment blocks, one of which has been dubbed the ‘Salford Shard’ as it will be the biggest building outside of London.
“The Liberal Democrat councillors have set out their alternative vision for the retail park with their three main priorities being; the inclusion of provision of affordable homes, increased green space, and a major rethink on the additional parking and traffic complications that the current plans will create in an already troublesome area for both these issues.
“They also call for additional police on the beat, increased school places, more hospital and GP capacity, extra buses, and pollution offsetting measures to be in the plans.”
More than 100 people have objected to the plans on Salford City Council’s planning portal.
Henley Investment Management defended the regeneration scheme, and said it would provide a major boost in local employment opportunities.
A spokesperson said:
“Regent Park is a once in a lifetime regeneration scheme that has the potential to transform the future of Ordsall, Salford, and beyond.
“Henley has been and continues to work closely with Salford officers, consultees, and local residents on the application to ensure it meets all expectations and policy requirements whilst still delivering for the community.
“We are very surprised to see Ms Long-Bailey’s objections to the scheme especially after meeting with her and explaining the details.
“Henley is absolutely committed to delivering a material number of affordable homes and is actively working with the local authority to finding a solution that sits externally to planning obligations and viability assessments.”
They added:
“Regent Park will continue as a local centre and through the delivery of 86,000 sq. ft of commercial and community space, replacing almost all the existing viable floorspace, Henley is confident there is room for retailers to return to the site if they wish.
“We have been in conversation with our tenants since the outset and they continue to be key stakeholders in our ambitions for the future.
“By delivering more efficient, varied, and sustainable commercial units, the plans are estimated to generate new employment opportunities – delivering an increase of at least 160 jobs on site, helping to future-proof the local centre for generations to come.
“This sits separately to the 910 full time equivalent jobs created over the duration of the anticipated of the construction programme.
“We are happy to spend more time with the local MP and councillors to ensure that the full benefits of the development are clear.”
