Indigo helps overturn Salford warehouse decision
Circle Property Unit Trust, advised by Indigo Planning, has won its appeal against Salford City Council for the change of use of a disused 11,270 sq ft warehouse building to a new retail outlet.
The plans centred on a change of use for Fairbank House on the corner of Comus Street and Regent Road in Salford from warehouse, B8, to non-food retail, A1.
The property was marketed for several years and became vacant when the lease came to an end in November 2009. Owner Circle Property Unit Trust proposed a change of use to attract a retail tenant. Salford City Council refused consent for the application in December last year.
Chris Smith, associate director at Indigo Planning, said: "By considering retail to be an employment use in line with PPS4, the Planning Inspector's decision not only allows Circle Property Unit Trust to bring a vacant warehouse back into use and improve the local area, but also paves the way for other property owners to explore more demand-driven options for their assets during difficult economic times.
"For Salford in particular, the decision also provides clear guidance on the weight that can be attached to Supplementary Planning Guidance: the Inspector concluded that no weight could be attached to the Development Control Practice Note that the Council relied on in refusing planning permission."
The building is now being marketed to retailers for immediate occupation through agents Scott Frazer and Colliers International.