Construction of a £40-million development for new apartments in Eccles has reached its halfway point. Church Street Place – a build-to-rent scheme set to transform the town – will see a 22-storey tower built alongside three and five-storey buildings. It will create 272 new homes of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and includes nearly 700 square metres of ground floor commercial space. The scheme from Arlesco Ventures and Silverlane Developments was approved by Salford council’s planning panel in 2019. Steve Carnes, managing director of Silverlane Developments, said the milestone was a “crucial moment” for the project and future of the town. He said: “As we witness the structure reach its highest point, we anticipate the positive impact Church Street Place will have on Eccles and its community.” Church Street Place provides 19 car parking spaces and 168 bicycle spaces for residents, in a bid to encourage ‘eco-friendly living’ and greener forms of transport around the area. A planted courtyard is included as part of the design, to offer ‘a touch of greenery’ among the new homes. The commercial space included in the project is set to provide a mix of retail and food and beverage offerings. Work is taking place on the development with principal contractor BCEGI and project monitors Naismiths, with funding by lending specialist Zorin Finance. Major work is being planned to transform Eccles town centre in the coming years, including improvements planned at Eccles Shopping Centre. The council bought the shopping centre for £4 million in December 2022, on the basis that it would become the centre of the town’s regeneration. The town hall is looking to demolish 14 retail units, the multi storey car park, and Northway Market at the site, with plans to redevelop the area with new commercial and residential spaces. It’s part of a wider vision to make Eccles a ‘vibrant’ town to live and work in, attracting more independent retailers and ‘pop-up food outlets’, alongside new bars, cafes, and meeting areas. Plans for the future of the town also include building more homes and creating new jobs. With a Metrolink stop, train station, and access to motorways, Eccles is thought to be located in a great position for future redevelopment.
