Salix wins Blackfriars consent at second attempt
Salford Council has approved plans by local housing association Salix for its Canon Green Campus development off Blackfriars Road.
The £22.5m project will see ageing tower block Canon Green Court fully refurbished and its neighbour Westminster House re-clad, with a part nine, part-11 storey apartment block added to the site. The new-build element, designed by Corstorphine + Wright, comprises 17 one-bed and 91 two-bedroom apartments.
Going against officer recommendation, the development was refused at July’s planning committee, which argued that the scheme “failed to achieve high quality and inclusive design”, due to the loss of mature trees, the impact on amenity space for existing residents, and a failure of the new-build element to integrate with the existing site.
Revisions made before resubmission include 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.
Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: ‘We are delighted that Salford Council has given the green light for our Canon Green Campus development – this is a proud moment for Salix Homes.
“At the time of a national housing crisis, this project will not only refurbish and modernise the homes of the existing residents, but it will also deliver desperately needed new and affordable housing in Salford.
“We have worked incredibly closely with the existing residents to develop these proposals and we are confident our plans will deliver the essential improvement work they have been calling for and help create, safe and modern homes we can all be proud of for generations to come.”
The Canon Green Court refurbishment, promised as part of a 2015 stock transfer, will include new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, sprinkler systems and exterior re-facing and insulation at the late 1950s-built block.
Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,000 homes across Salford, will now appoint a contractor to carry out the project with a view to work starting before the end of 2018. Willmott Dixon is understood to be in line to land the job.
