Campaigners force Henley’s 78-storey Salford skyscraper back before committee
Henley Investment Management will have to ask the city council to reconsider its proposals to to build 3,300 homes and the UK’s tallest tower outside of London at Regent Retail Park following a complaint about the process that led to the scheme being approved last year.
The Save Regent Retail Park group lodged a formal complaint earlier this year citing a conflict of interest involving Cllr Phil Cusack, the chair of the planning committee that gave the green light to Henley’s £1.3bn GDV redevelopment plans last November.
At the time of the meeting, Cusack was listed as a director of Salford City Council’s affordable housing company Derive. The campaign group claims that this is a conflict of interest due to Derive’s potential future involvement in the scheme’s proposed social housing element. Cusack has since resigned as a director.
A commitment from Henley to deliver 660 social rent homes had been crucial to securing approval for the project, which had proved controversial, particularly among residents in nearby Ordsall.
However, it would appear that this same commitment has inadvertently scuppered the plans, at least in the short term.
A spokesperson for Henley said: “We have not withdrawn our planning application and are pressing ahead with our development to build over 3,000 new homes, around a quarter of which will be social rented accommodation, and supporting public amenities for the local community. We are committed to working with the Council to advance our plans through the appropriate procedures as we are advised.
“We are aware of the council’s internal procedural issue which is frustrating, but we have a close ongoing dialogue and they are keeping us updated.”
A Salford City Council spokesperson confirmed that the planning application for development at Regent Retail Park remains under consideration, and has not been “withdrawn” as claimed by the campaign group.
The scheme is expected to be brought back to the Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel at a date to be determined.
The spokesperson said: “It is necessary for a procedural matter to be addressed. The previous resolution to grant permission for development at Regent Retail Park was subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement. It is not necessary for the application to be withdrawn; it will be reconsidered by the planning panel.”
A 2.5-acre park forms part of the proposal. Credit: Mode Visuals
Local resident Miranda Clarke said: “The reversal of the decision shows the strength of our community when we stand together. We won’t accept development that takes from our area, adds no value, or ignores real concerns.
“As Henley returns, we’ll unite again to stand up for our community.”
While pleased that the plans will have to be reconsidered, the campaign group said that concerns around the deliverability of affordable housing within the scheme, parking provision, and the loss of retail accommodation, endure.
The scheme, designed by Matt Brook Architects with LDA leading on landscape design and Savills on planning, was announced in 2023 and features what would be the tallest tower in the UK outside London at 78 storeys.
Henley’s plans have proved unpopular with large sections of the local community who have felt that their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
The site, allocated for redevelopment under Salford’s local plan, currently comprises 118,000 sq ft of retail space occupied by the likes of Home Bargains, Boots, and several charity shops.
These would be demolished to make way for Henley’s 10-building development.
After initial backlash, the developer has repeatedly said it plans to deliver almost as much retail space – 100,000 sq ft – in the new development and has invited existing retailers back to be a part of it.
However, this, along with the project’s other benefits – a 2.5-acre central park, first refusal to the NHS on a 7,000 sq ft unit, and a parking permit scheme for local residents for five years – have struggled to cut through with some residents who believe they are set to lose a vital piece of their community.
