Partners strive for increased density at MediaCity

A further 3,200 homes and an additional 800,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace could be delivered in future phases as Salford City Council, Peel Media, and Landsec look to refresh previously approved plans amid changing trends. 

Salford City Council is planning to hold a six-week consultation on a draft regeneration framework for MediaCity and Quayside shopping centre, subject to its approval next week.  

The framework outlines what will be delivered next at the 53-acre site – which is already home to 1.4m sq ft of offices and more than 1,100 homes. 

It also aims to align the future of the complex with shifting trends and proposes a series of changes to previously approved plans for the next phases of development.  

In 2016, plans for 555,000 sq ft of offices and 1,800 homes at MediaCity were signed off, some of which has already been delivered. 

However, changes to the way MediaCity is used, prompted in part by the pandemic, mean that future development is “likely to come forward as a variance from the existing permissions”, according to a report to Salford City Council’s cabinet. 

The framework proposes four main character areas. Credit: via regeneration framework

The regeneration framework “incorporates all of the lessons learned throughout the past 10 years, meets the economic challenges post-pandemic, and seeks to create a critical mass of people who live, visit and work in the area”, the report states. 

Drawn up by Deloitte, Prior and Partners, and TTHC, the framework proposes an increase in both homes and offices compared to the 2016 plans. 

View the framework here 

The cabinet report states the amount of future commercial space planned has increased by 375,000 sq ft from 430,000 sq ft to 807,000 sq ft following the refreshed vision.  

The number of homes will rise by 1,987 from 1,213 to 3,200. Around 90,000 sq ft of retail and 300 hotel rooms are also planned. 

The first element to be delivered would be the 300,000 sq ft office on plot C3, which already has planning approval. 

A MediaCity spokesperson said: “A draft regeneration framework for MediaCity and Quayside is being considered by Salford City Council’s cabinet. If approved, the Framework will go out for public consultation, giving local people the chance to share their views on the future plans for MediaCity and Quayside. We’re expecting a decision to be made on 10 October.”