Plans to build hundreds of new homes and a transport hub at Salford Soapworks have been submitted to the council in a bid to create a new ‘riverside community’ in the city.
Up to 500 homes could be built as part of the development on Colgate Lane next to the River Irwell close to Salford Quays.
Phase one of the plan would convert an existing warehouse building into 78 new affordable homes with 60,000 square feet of office space, and leisure and gym facilities.
A new transport hub included in the plans would create a multi-storey car park and space for new businesses and services.
More than 900 parking spaces are included in the design, as well as spaces for electric vehicles, and a basement cycle hub in one of the office developments known as Block D.
Phase two of the scheme involves creating a ‘new residential community’ spread across three riverside blocks, mixed with green space and a new park pavilion for residents.
The tallest block will be up to 33 stories tall if approved, as well as a further two blocks up to 17 and 10 storeys.
The current Soapworks site and surrounding area has a number of businesses and organisations using the facilities, including government offices and technology firms.
Bosses behind the new plans say the development would appeal to ‘local and international tenants’, with the aim of creating a ‘modern and dynamic centre’ in Salford.
A planning statement from the developer stated: ‘The proposals have been sensitively designed to transform this brownfield site in need of regeneration to provide a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood which will support Salford’s diverse and growing population.’
The scheme for Salford Soapworks was submitted by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund which owns the site, having bought it from developer Carlyle in 2017 for £60 million.
Planning documents say that the Ivy Soapworks building was first created at the site for Salford businessman Charles Goodwin in 1874, marking the start of the long industrial history of the area.
Soapworks ceased trading as a factory in 2005, with the historic factory buildings redeveloped in 2014 to keep their character and provide new office accommodation at the site.
Salford is forecast to experience the fastest percentage growth in Greater Manchester in the next 20 years, bosses behind the Soapworks development plans say, adding that the local economy is expected to grow by £3bn in that time.
