BCEGI to be replaced at Middlewood Locks 

Leeds-based contractor GMI Construction is the frontrunner to build out phase three of Scarborough Group International’s £1bn Salford neighbourhood. 

China-backed BCEGI has completed the first two phases at Middlewood Locks, delivering 1,116 homes, but will not be involved in the next phase, it is understood. 

GMI Construction has not yet been officially appointed but planning documents pertaining to the 189-home third phase suggest the contractor is in line for the job. 

Scarborough and GMI have worked together before. The contractor started building a 133,000 sq ft office in Leeds earlier this year, while work is ongoing to deliver a 63,000 sq ft office in Sheffield.

All parties declined to comment when contacted by Place North West.

The scheme’s third phase is to provide one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in two blocks. 

The blocks are to reach 10 storeys and 12 storeys respectively and are situated on the northern side of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal, opposite the 275-home first phase of the scheme. 

There will also be seven canal side townhouses with two-to-four bedrooms. The project is to feature 5,150 sq ft of ground floor commercial and retail accommodation, and an additional 5,000 sq ft of offices. 

Zerum is the planning consultant and the project is designed by Whittam Cox Architects. 

When completed, the 25-acre Middlewood Locks will provide a total of 2,215 new homes and 900,000 sq ft of commercial space, including offices, hotel, shops, and restaurants.    

The project is being delivered by FairBriar International, a joint venture in which Scarborough holds a 50% stake, with Metro Holdings of Singapore and Hualing Group of China controlling 25% each.