Plans to build more than 500 new homes in a £200m scheme in Salford have been approved.
Soapworks, based by the Manchester Ship Canal off Ordsall Lane, will be transformed into the city’s newest neighbourhood, as well as creating new office space for businesses.
Salford council’s decision includes full permission for 78 affordable apartments and a 12-storey transport hub with a multi-storey car park.
The second part of the work approved outline planning permission for 500 homes spread across blocks 10, 17, and 33-stories tall, which is for the overall concept of the development rather than all the specific details.
The plans will create more than 900 new parking spaces in the area.
It was submitted by Bankfoot APAM on behalf of Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
It includes creating a new public square and a park, in an area lodged between Salford city centre, the Quays, and Old Trafford football stadium.
But Ordsall Coun Brendan Keville criticised the plans over the mix of housing.
“We have [here] an overconcentration of expensive, luxury, build-to-rent apartments, these will inflate local rents, and drive up housing costs in a community already struggling with affordability,” he said.
Around 13 percent of the scheme is currently designated as affordable housing, but a report on the plans stated that this number could rise when more detail is revealed for the second phase of the works.
Salford council requires new developments to deliver at least 20 percent of homes to be at affordable private rent levels.
Coun Mike McCusker, the council’s lead on planning, urged the committee to support the proposal, saying the number of affordable homes could increase when the second part of the plans moves forward.
“It’s delivering homes and offices on a brownfield site, so we don’t need to start looking towards green spaces in order to meet the housing need,” he added.
The development will bring more homes to an area where there are wider regeneration plans, with 274 homes on land at Robert Hall Street and West Park Street approved last year.
