Appeal over Salford trade counter rejection fails 

Joint Investment Power has been trying since 2016 to redevelop a former Manchester Evening News distribution warehouse on Broughton Lane. The company’s latest attempt to realise its vision has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate. 

Last year, Salford City Council rejected the developer’s plans to build 14,000 sq ft of trade counter space – the third iteration of the site’s redevelopment – citing concerns over flooding. 

Joint Investment Power subsequently lodged an appeal against the refusal of the 12-unit development at 85 Broughton Lane.  

However, the Planning Inspectorate has found in favour of the city council, stating that the proposal would result in “development that would be at risk from flooding in flood zone 3. 

In addition, the developer has not demonstrated that the scheme “could not be carried out elsewhere through a sequential test”, according to a report by inspector Tim Cropper. 

Another reason Salford gave for refusing the scheme was concerns about highway safety. The inspector concluded the project was acceptable in these terms. 

Create It Studios was the architect behind the proposals and Mialex was the planning consultant.  

Located on Broughton Lane on the edge of Cambridge Industrial Estate, the site is vacant following the demolition of the warehouse around a decade ago.  

In 2016, Joint Investment Power submitted plans for 41,000 sq ft of trade counter space across 21 units, as well as 21,000 sq ft of offices.  

Having withdrawn these proposals, the developer returned in 2017 with scaled-back aspirations for the site, submitting plans for 37,000 sq ft of trade counter space across 13 units.  

However, those plans were also withdrawn.