PLANNING | Ralli Quays rethink primed for go-ahead
Public access to the River Irwell path will now be maintained as part of Legal & General’s development, following design tweaks. Plans at MediaCity, Salford Central and Eccles are also likely to be approved next week.
The council had initially resolved to approve the plans by Legal & General to restrict access to part of the path along the River Irwell during and after its redevelopment of the site.
However, following a surge of opposition the Department for Transport announced a public inquiry, and the development team has now revisited its plans, which now require rubber-stamping at committee.
Salford City Council’s planning and transportation regulatory panel meets on Thursday 6 October with a packed agenda.
Recommended for approval
FORMER VAUXHALL PLOT, ECCLES
The project is the second tower Silverlane is developing in Eccles. Credit: via Jeffery Bell Architects
Developer: Silverlane Developments
Architect: Jeffrey Bell Architects
Planner: Iceni Projects
Silverlane, which is also working on a 23-storey scheme elsewhere in Eccles, intends to deliver a 256-apartment project over 25 storeys on the former Vauxhall dealership site at the junction of Albert Street and Peel Street. The site was previously put forward for a tower scheme by Cheshire Estates before Silverlane acquired the plot. Plans include 250 apartments and six townhouses.
The planning reference is 22/80150/FUL.
PLOT C3 (WHITE), MEDIACITY
Sheppard Robson is the scheme’s architect. Credit: via Peel L&P
Developer: Peel Media
Architect: Sheppard Robson
Planner: NJL Consulting
Also recommended for approval is an 11-storey office building with ground floor commercial on the plot between the Holiday Inn and the Greenhouse, behind the BBC’s Dock House. The site currently houses parking and a multi-use games area. A triangular building is proposed for the site, bringing 312,000 sq ft of office space including 27,000 sq ft of co-working areas to the site. The project represents the first major development at MediaCity since Landsec bought into the Salford complex in 2021.
The planning reference is 22/80211/FUL.
PLOT C2, SALFORD CENTRAL
Hawkins\Brown is the scheme’s architect. Credit: via Muse Developments
Developer: English Cities Fund
Architect: Hawkins\Brown
Planner: DPP
This is a reserved matters application for a 23-storey tower comprising 196 apartments. The site sits between Trinity Way and the River Irwell, at the western end of Stanley Street close to the new Ordsall Chord. The site had previously been used as a compound during the development of the Slate Yard at Plot C1, which is now complete. The development will include 88 one-bedroom apartments, 93 two-bedroom apartments and 15 three-bedroom apartments.
The planning reference is 22/79867/REM.
LAND NORTH OF LANKRO WAY, ECCLES
The scheme includes seven units. Credit: via planning documents
Developer: Aviva Investors
Architect: SMR Architects
Planner: Turley
Plans by Aviva to create a last-mile delivery hub at the site on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal were reported by Place North West in December 2021. The developer wants to build 230,400 sq ft of warehousing space on a site partly occupied at present by Algeco. Seven buildings are proposed, ranging in size from 9,500 sq ft to 83,500 sq ft.
The planning reference is 21/78769/FUL.
RALLI QUAYS
A public inquiry into the potential loss of part of the riverside footpath had been launched. Credit: via planning documents
Developer: Legal & General Investment Management
Architect: EPR Architects
Planner: DPP
A resolution to approve plans for the prominent waterfront site include a 212-bedroom 16-storey hotel and a 212,000 sq ft office building over 12 storeys was given in January, but following an outcry over a section of riverside path coming under “controlled access” – including city mayor Paul Dennett’s call for a redesign – it has returned to the development panel with alterations made.
The officers’ report stated: “Following further review and discussions the applicants are now proposing to retain public access down the steps to the riverside and as a result the alternative route that was previously proposed as mitigation is no longer required.
“The submitted plans have been amended to reflect this change and remove the gate to the top of the access steps. In addition, the structural elements of the undercroft along the riverside, including the pillars and retaining wall, have been updated. Management of this area will be the responsibility of the applicants.”
The planning reference is 21/78277/FUL.
Council nearly allowed the privatisation of a public walkway until opposition forced the plans to change.
By Anonymous
With ‘riverside’-access the Irwell looks less like an abandoned canal. Surely this must be positive for place-making and therefore for property prices. Imagine if there were a few narrow linear gardens and benches on both side. I know … Dream on!
By James Yates
In respect of Ralli Quays, I’m interested to know what this means: “ the alternative route that was previously proposed as mitigation is no longer required.”
Is this the route that would have gone through the glazed, enclosed colonnade?
By Anonymous
That’s good news but it’s a bit shocking that this was nearly privatised. Without attempting to sound like a NIMBY, it’s shameful for everyone involved.
By Anonymous
Echo everyone’s comments. It came shockingly close council allowing it to being privatised. Saved by the people.
The river is quite embarrassing, it really needs a coordinated plan for a walking route all the way along.
By Anonymous
Looking at the plans though it appears the path is a dead end? Presume no plans to link it up to New Quay Street. So not sure how much of a win this really is
By Anonymous
It’s encouraging that the public view is being heeded. Now to get the river walk opened the other side of the bridge.
By Anonymous