Salford gateway scheme approved

Sir Robert McAlpine is to start construction in September on a 375-home scheme bounded by Trinity Way and Chapel Street in Salford after amended plans were approved yesterday.

The Gore Street project, designed by OMI Architects for UK Land & Property, is a private rented sector scheme that also includes 9,361 sq ft of commercial and retail space. Four apartment blocks of between 11 and 20 residential floors will sit above two storeys of commercial space around a public square.

Residents of the 364 apartments and 11 townhouses will benefit from a café, gym, private lounge and meeting rooms.

The scheme is intended to provide a linkage from Chapel Street through to English Cities Fund’s New Bailey scheme and beyond to Manchester city centre. Plans for a 199-apartment block within New Bailey were also approved yesterday.

Adam Gray, senior associate at OMI Architects, said: “We have worked hard with Salford’s regeneration team to create the potential for an interesting, active street scene to emerge, whilst enacting the objectives of Salford’s aspirations for the wider neighbourhood.

“The new concourse through the viaduct archway will create a vibrant public space and fundamentally reinforce pedestrian links between Salford and Manchester.”

The professional team includes Vinden Partnership as project manager and cost consultant, structural engineer ROC Consulting, Crookes Walker on M&E and Design Fire Consultants on fire safety engineering.