Homes prioritised in £1bn MediaCityUK second phase
A planning application for the £1bn expansion of MediaCityUK across 10 buildings in Salford Quays has been submitted. In the early stages the phased development is expected to be led by residential buildings, with the first start on site due in 2017.
See below for masterplan map with plots and labelled architects
Developer Peel received outline consent for the second phase of MediaCityUK in October 2006, and had 10 years to bring forward detailed applications for each building.
In March, Peel accelerated its planning application for two residential towers forming the first element of phase two, on plots C1 and D1 of the site, designed by AHR Architects. The Lightbox on C1 is the first block to be brought forward, and is made up of 238 flats. The apartments have been launched to the market for sale, and construction is due to begin at the start of next year. Following completion and depending on market demand, the second building, on plot D1, will start on site.
Plot C6 has been earmarked for a 477-apartment scheme for the private rented sector, designed by Chapman Taylor, and looks likely to be the third project to be built out.
Overall, the second phase will include 540,000 sq ft of offices, 1,800 apartments, retail and leisure, public spaces and a pedestrian street running through the scheme. Starts on site for the offices are dependent on securing pre-let occupiers.
The planning application also includes a mixed-use market, events building and square on a single plot, C5.
Once detailed planning permission has been granted for phase two, the approval will last in perpetuity as the first phase, occupied by BBC North, University of Salford and others, has already been completed. There is no requirement to start construction of the next wave of buildings within a set timeframe.
Led by masterplanner Chapman Taylor, the team of architects on the project are Hodder & Partners, 5plus, Sheppard Robson, Jeffrey Bell and AHR. Gillespies is the landscape architect, while NJL Consulting is advising on planning.
Salford City Council’s planning committee is due to consider the application in September.
MediaCityUK is a joint venture between Peel Land & Property and Legal & General Capital.
Speaking to Place North West, Paul Newman, director of communications at MediaCityUK, said that “relevant buildings will be brought forward as we deem appropriate, according to market demand and funding”. However, he confirmed that other than The Lightbox, there were no plans to begin construction on other buildings imminently after planning permission is granted.
Tim Partington, director, Chapman Taylor, said: “MediaCityUK is already a leading international hub for the creative and digital sectors, a centre of learning and a visitor destination. Phase two will bring a new residential community supported by high quality public realm, leisure and retail facilities, ensuring that the development is a sustainable urban neighbourhood and an exemplar for the 21st century.”
The team of architects are designing a range of uses across the second phase of MediaCityUK, as follows:
- Chapman Taylor, masterplanner and coordinator designer. Overseeing development of plot C3 into offices, C6 into residential and retail, and D4 for parking, live-work apartments, studio offices, bike hub, site-wide plant
- Sheppard Robson, designer for plot B5; Grade A offices and retail
- Jeffrey Bell, architect for plot C4; live-work apartments, studio offices and residential, and plot C5; public market hall
- Hodder & Partners, architect for plot D3; studio offices, apartments, multi-storey parking
- 5plus, architect for D5; retail, leisure, apartments
- AHR, advising on plots C1 and D1; residential, retail
