Scarborough to revisit Middlewood consent

Scarborough Development Group has demolished a former sales building for a housing scheme at Middlewood Locks in Salford after complaints about vandalism and safety concerns from the local community.

The two-storey building on Middlewood Street was built by Taylor Wimpey as a sales office for its Fusion development but the second phase was not developed and the office became derelict.

Scarborough Development Group, the property development arm of Scarborough Group, acquired the 21-acre Middlewood Locks site in Salford from Valley and Vale Properties, acting through its administrators Grant Thornton, in February 2012. Following consultation with the planning team at Salford City Council and with local residents, Scarborough Group took the decision to demolish the building as soon as planning permission was granted.

Lee Savage, development director of Scarborough, said: "Since acquiring the site we've been consulting with the local community and the council and the vandalism of the site office was causing concern so we worked immediately to get it demolished.

"We'll continue the programme of consultation to bring the whole site forward. Whilst the site has planning consent for an extensive mixed-use development, we will be re-evaluating the plans in light of the current market and intend to present the best possible scheme for Salford."

Middlewood Locks has existing outline planning consent for a 2.6m sq ft of mixed-use development to include residential, commercial, retail and leisure facilities.

Ross Spanner, neighbourhood manager of Salford City Council, added: "We are pleased that this empty building has been demolished. Local residents have been concerned that it was attracting crime and anti-social behaviour. We look forward to working with the Scarborough Group in developing options for the Middlewood Locks site."