Salford Quays could become an overdeveloped “supercity” in the next ten years, a councillor has warned.
Paul Heilbron, of Salford Lib Dems and a resident in the Quays, said plans to build thousands of homes in the area could change it beyond recognition, and leave residents without adequate public services.
Once a bustling centre of industry for the Manchester Ship Canal, the Quays was transformed in one of the UK’s most successful regeneration projects after the closure of the docks in 1982.
Today, the area is recognised as a hub of culture and creativity, home to The Lowry and companies such as ITV and the BBC based around MediaCity.
Quays residents are mostly based in apartment blocks along the waterways, in what is considered to be a highly desirable part of Greater Manchester to live.
It is also an area which draws tourism to the region, with a number of retail outlets as well as bars, restaurants, and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Salford Quays looks certain to grow in future, with plans for major housing schemes approved in MediaCity and Pier 7, and an application tabled to build a further 3,000 homes at the nearby Regent Retail Park, which is less than 10 minutes away by car.
Read More: Salford Liberal Democrats Demand Better For Regent Retail Park
This is alongside plans for a £200-million redevelopment of Salford Soapworks bringing 450 apartments, and a scheme for more than 1,000 homes on Michigan Avenue.
Mr Heilbron warned that Salford Quays residents are already struggling with a lack of local services, with just one medical centre serving the ward and trams “bursting” with commuters.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
“Salford Quays is going to be a city centre in the next five to ten years, but the people who live here have not come for that. It’s a completely different lifestyle.
“We’ve got a super city being built. People come here because it’s not a city centre, but it’s not out in the Lakes either.
“These plans are sacrificing what Salford Quays is now, and it’s going to be a city centre which no one asked for.
“Our public services have flatlined or gone backwards, trams are absolutely bursting all the time.
“I’m calling for an extra medical centre for the ward, we have one for the whole of the Quays and Ordsall. Are there going to be more police stations or fire stations? There’s nothing to cater for the extra population.”
He added:
“The Quays Liberal Democrat team are pro-regeneration in our area, but we are sceptical about the sincerity of the [future] plans due to Labour’s track record in our great city of over building flats and under developing our public services, social provisions and vital infrastructure.”
Salford’s Lib Dems have called for a number of measures to be taken ahead of new development schemes in the area, with more police and school places, healthcare facilities, extra trams and buses, and measures to offset pollution.
The Lib Dems enjoy local support in the Quays, holding two out of three of the ward’s council seats.
But Salford Labour defended their record in the area.
A party spokesperson said:
“Salford Labour’s investment into Salford Quays has genuinely transformed the area, with MediaCity now the second largest tech, digital and media hub in the country, attracting high-quality employers and bringing excellent jobs and opportunities to the area for local Salfordians.
“Working with Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor for Greater Manchester, we have already confirmed an additional six police officers for the Quays and are working with Andy and Transport for Greater Manchester exploring options for expanding Metrolink provision around Salford Quays and the Crescent area.
“Over the last decade public services and the social infrastructure of this country have been degraded by an austerity regime facilitated by the Liberal Democrats under the coalition government.
“Coun Heilbron’s words are hollow when his party paved the way for cuts which have taken £245million out of our budget since 2010.
“Working hand-in-hand in with the new Labour government, Salford Labour will continue to deliver for our residents, providing good jobs, affordable housing and making Salford a fairer, greener, healthier city for all our residents.”
Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford City Council, said:
“Salford Quays used to be an empty dockland and is now home to one of Europe’s most successful water regeneration projects.
“MediaCity is set to double in size over the next decade, with plans for thousands more homes.
“But we want the future of the area to be the best it can be. So we worked with and listened to residents, partners, businesses and a mix of public and private sector stakeholders to produce Salford Quays 2030 – a blueprint of a combined vision for the area.
“The overall aim is to create an area that works for everyone, with people at the centre of our vision.”
Stephen Wild, MediaCity managing director, said:
“The revised regeneration framework plans which Salford City Council approved last year will bring more homes, spaces for business, retail and leisure to MediaCity as well as significant employment opportunity.
“While there are plans to double the size of MediaCity, public realm and green spaces significantly feature in the plans, we will enhance the waterfront and all new buildings will be highly sustainable.
“We’re responding to local needs by reshaping Quayside into a convenience-led town centre offering and as we progress with those plans we envisage it will include community services such as a medical practice.”
