Scarborough forges on with £1bn Middlewood Locks 

A pair of residential towers comprising 659 apartments feature within the next phase of the 25-acre Salford neighbourhood, under a trio of applications submitted to the city council. 

Scarborough Group International has set out plans for three residential buildings on the remaining 10-acre plot that connects the existing community at Middlewood Locks through the Ordsall Chord railway arches to Manchester city centre. 

The first reserved matters application is for two towers of 32 and 28 storeys in the north-east corner of the site. 

As well as 659 apartments, the towers would feature 18,000 sq ft of ground floor and first floor commercial space. 

The second reserved matters application is for an additional 250 apartments within a 15-storey L-shaped building on a neighbouring plot. 

There will be a 4,500 sq ft commercial space within this block, while a landscaped public square is also proposed to connect the two plots. 

Scarborough is also seeking to refresh the outline consent for Middlewood Locks in order to deliver around 500,000 sq ft combination of workspace and another 1,000 new homes.   

A 25-storey hotel and 10-storey multistorey car park also form a part of the masterplan alongside further public realm including a canal side park. 

Phases one and two of the scheme, featuring 1,117 homes have completed and are sold out. 

The next phase of homes, the Railings, has consent and is due to start on site soon.  

Paul Kelly, development director at SGI, said: “The submission of these plans demonstrates our commitment to press ahead with the next phases of this strategic mixed-use regeneration project. 

“This next phase seeks to connect Middlewood Locks with a seamless transition from the bustle of Manchester city centre through to a more tranquil living environment that is both sustainable and convenient.”  

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

When completed, it will provide a total of 2,215 new homes and 900,000 sq ft of commercial space, including offices, hotel, shops, and restaurants.   

Beijing Construction Engineering Group Internationalis the lead contractor for Middlewood Locks, Whittam Cox Architects is leading on design and Zerum is the scheme’s planning advisor. 

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Great to see so many balconies. This will help differentiate these homes from the vast majority of of flats which are still built without this important feature and likely add value long term. Well done Scarborough!

Incidentally, you wouldn’t be able to build a block of flats in London without balconies – they have more stringent standards down there. Time for our local authorities to follow suit.

By Balcony watch

Good to see balcony watch on duty. I wasn’t aware of the London planning regs but it does not surprise me. Balconies shouldn’t be an expensive upgrade, all or most apartments should have access to outdoor space. If not a balcony then a roof terrace. Yes Scarborough has got this right.

By Robert Fuller

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