The site could eventually be redeveloped into a four building cluster. Credit: via Google Earth

Salford closes in on land sale to end legal challenge

The city council has provisionally agreed terms to sell a plot at Ontario Basin to Stama Developments, a deal that could bring an end to litigation between the two parties following a dispute over another site, Place North West understands. 

Stama and the city council have been locked in a legal battle since 2019 after the authority rejected the developer’s plans to convert Salford Crescent police station into 117 homes.  

Stama had entered into a contract with Salford City Council to acquire the building but the acquisition was scuppered when the plans were rejected.  

The developer then took legal action in a bid to recoup cash it had already invested in the project.  

Place North West understands that Stama and Salford City Council have since been working together to end the legal action. 

A deal for the long-vacant Ontario Basin land, located next to the Premier Inn off The Quays, could provide a solution for all parties.  

If agreed, the deal would see two apartment buildings comprising 267 flats delivered on the site, according to a report to Salford’s property and regeneration committee.   

Block one would comprise 107 apartments and would be 100% affordable. Stama is reportedly in advanced negotiations with a registered provider for the forwarded funded sale of the completed block.  

Block two would be made up of 160 apartments that will be offered for sale on the open market.  

Earlier phase one proposals for a 10-storey hotel with 162 bedrooms and a 28-storey residential tower comprising 256 apartments were scaled back due to “significant build cost inflation”.  

A potential second phase could feature two more buildings. However, this would be subject to negotiations with Whitbread, which holds a long-leasehold on a neighbouring site.  

Indicative phase two proposals could feature an eight-storey hotel with 154 bedrooms and a 12-storey block with 172 apartments. 

Salford and Stama declined to comment.

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So what’s happening with Salford crescent police station? Is it part of the crescent masterplan? I hope so!

By Salford Red

I’ve worked at University of Salford for many years and can’t believe these developers have been stopped from creating something much needed for the area. Looking at the old police all these year’s boarded up is sad to see. I wish them all the luck in the world to get this beautiful building and area transformed at last. What is the point in leaving a building disused and empty?

By Jill Wellington

If it’s owned by Salford ie us the public, shouldn’t the site be publicly tendered ?

By Tannoy

Is this all Salford Council think about, making tons of money and destroying green areas?

By Pauline G.

@Pauline G, if Salford Council were all about ‘destroying green areas’ then they would have sold off the God awful Clarendon Park in Pendleton by now. The above proposal does not affect any ‘green areas’, as the picture quite clearly shows.

By Verticality

Area used to be attractive because of the open aspects and feeling of space. You’ll be lucky to see the sky soon with all this development

By Dazon

Not more apartments people need houses there is enough

By Elaune

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