Forshaw puts in for 814 Salford flats

Three towers filled with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are envisaged for the 2.2-acre site, currently occupied by McDonald’s, KFC, and Grosvenor Casino and situated by the River Irwell.

Forshaw Group is the developer for the project, to be known as Riverside Place. Crescent Investments is the funder, having taken over the position from Imco Holdings within the last few months.

DLA Architecture designed the three brick-fronted towers and accompanying pavilion, which would boast 5,300 sq ft of commercial space.

The tallest of the towers would be 35 storeys and 320,200 sq ft GIA. The 348 apartments allocated for the tower would comprise 168 one-bedroom flats, 160 two-bedroom ones, and 20 three-bed residences.

The shortest of the towers is 22 storeys and would have a GIA of 199,500 sq ft. It would hold 104 one-bed, 114 two-bed, and 16 three-bed flats.

The final tower would have a GIA of 229,900 sq ft and stand 26 storeys tall. It would boast 254 apartments, consisting of 124 one-bedroom flats, 114 two-bedroom ones, and 16 three-bed residences.

None of the apartments proposed are to be designated as affordable.

The project includes more than 1.5 acres of public realm and enhanced pedestrian links to the River Irwell footpath.

Access to Riverside Place would be from Ordsall Lane and Regent Road in Salford.

The development also has provision for 48 car parking bays.

Forshaw estimates that more than 1,000 jobs would be created during the three-year construction period, generating £67m in economic value.

The community pavilion includes 5,300 sq ft of commercial space. Credit: DLA Architecture

Euan Kellie Property Solutions is the planning consultant for Riverside Place and submitted the application after a series of consultation exercises last year.

Lyndon Forshaw, chief executive of Forshaw Group, spoke about the impact that consultation had on the proposals.

“The final plans submitted are focussed on community integration with the existing Ordsall neighbourhood, providing a community pavilion at the heart of the scheme,” he said.

“We have also been able to increase the area of public realm on the Regent Road frontage for all to enjoy and improve the shared amenity space for the new residents within the new residential buildings”.

Jonathan Knowles, director of DLA Architecture, added: “Riverside Place is about establishing a new piece of Salford that feels open and genuinely connected to the community both socially, physically and environmentally.”

Reflecting on the submission of the planning application, Euan Kellie associate director James Ketley said: “This is not only a major milestone in the evolution of Riverside Place, but a landmark moment for the Ordsall Waterfront Area.”

He continued: “The proposed development is situated in a fantastic waterfront location that capitalises on direct pedestrian routes to nearby Salford Quays and Manchester city centre and will deliver new homes and community infrastructure that are two elements central to the success of a place.”

To make way for Riverside Place, the McDonald’s, KFC, and Grosvenor Casino currently occupying the site would be razed. Demolition approval was granted in 2023.

In addition to DLA Architecture and Euan Kellie, the project team includes TPM Landscape, SK Transport Planning, and Font Comms.

The application has not yet been validated on Salford City Council’s planning portal.