Salix eyes November start for £23m Canon Green Campus

Housing association Salix Homes is aiming to start its £23m Canon Green Campus development, featuring a new-build block off Blackfriars Road in Salford, in November this year with completion planned for 2021.

Willmott Dixon is understood to be lined up as main contractor for the project and subject to finalising costs and signing a contract, work will get under way next month.

The refurbishment of the existing Canon Green Court apartment block, which will include a full overhaul of the building including new kitchens, bathrooms, heating and sprinkler systems, and insulation, is earmarked for completion in November 2019.

Meanwhile, the new-build element, a part nine and part 11 storey building comprising 91 two-bed and 17 one-bed apartments, is set to complete in March 2021.

Designed by architect Corstophine + Wright, the project was initially refused planning permission against officer recommendation at July’s Salford Council planning committee; members argued the project “failed to achieve high quality and inclusive design” due to the loss of mature trees, the impact on amenity space, and claims the new-build element did not integrate with the existing site.

However, it won planning consent at September’s planning committee following a number of revisions. These included the addition of a residents’ entrance to the Canon Green Drive-facing side of the new block, and the remodelling of land between the blocks to facilitate amenities including a seating area. Assurances have been given that new footpaths linking the various parts of the site will be fully accessible.

Balconies and planters have been added to three apartments on the Blackfriars block at first floor level, and existing parking spaces will be replaced with ‘grasscrete’ to blend better with the adjoining green space. Part of the Canon Green Drive highway will be realigned.