Cross Lane student Q Developments p.planning docs

Broadway Malyan is leading on design. Credit: via planning documents

Q Developments lodges Salford student tower plans

A 27-storey tower would replace the former McDonald’s regional head office on Cross Lane, subject to planning approval. 

London-based Q Developments has lodged a planning application with Salford City Council for the 538-bedroom development close to Salford Crescent train station and the university. 

Now comprising a single tower with a 19-storey shoulder block, earlier proposals for the scheme outlined plans for a 40-storey tower on the site. 

However, the height of the development was scaled back during pre-application discussions, according to a design and access statement prepared by Broadway Malyan. 

If the project is successful in its bid for planning permission, construction could start by the end of this year.

Describing the design, Broadway Malyan director of architecture Ivor Phillips said: “Our proposals are centred around creating a fantastic experience for students and enhancing the streetscape of Cross Lane.

“The simple ‘gridded’ facade design is deliberately restrained, taking account of local heritage areas and assets in providing a contrasting design response,” Phillips continued.
“A hierarchy of groupings and definition of the shoulder block against the main body of the building add to the considered massing approach and limited palette of carefully selected materials.”

Analysis by Knight Frank demonstrates a need for student accommodation in Salford and calculates that there are currently 3.2 students per PBSA bed in the city, taking into account a pipeline of 2,125 beds. 

In addition, “full-time students in Salford, based on historic trends, are projected to rise by over 17% over the next five years,” the report states. 

Q’s scheme is located close to Salford University’s main campus and falls within the Transport Hub zone of the £2.5bn Crescent masterplan. 

The masterplan features outline proposals for a second residential tower next to Q’s site on a plot currently occupied by a McDonald’s restaurant. 

The former McDonald’s head office has been vacant since 2020.  

DPP is the planning consultant advising Q. To learn more about the project, search for reference number 23/81201/FUL on Salford City Council’s planning portal.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Shame to see the tower block scaled down, nothing wrong with 40 storeys here, there are numerous other tower blocks around. Baffles me that they let standard housing be built between A6 and Churchill way would have suited high rise much more.

By JAB

Quite a nice scheme though and dense enough to accord with the overall plan to breathe life into the area. Hopefully it turns out looking similar to the CGI.

By Anonymous

Hopefully the DfT and Network Rail will finally wake up to all this population growth right on top of rail stations. Within the vicinity of Victoria, Salford Crescent, Oxford Road, Deansgate and Victoria, the population, employment base and events base is absolutely booming. Their demand modelling should hopefully catch up and provide the needed infrastructure!

By Rail Demand

Students deserve balconies too

By Balcony Warrior

@ Balcony Warrior Actually bring balcony to student accommodation is a huge safety risk. For many students, it is the first time they live independently and away from home, it could also be fist time they are expose to parties and large amounts of alcohol. The potential risks of mental health, potential over consumption of alcohol, balconies are the last thing students need.

By Another Manc

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below