Salford to approve £200m Soapworks transformation
Development manager Bankfoot APAM wants to deliver 578 homes, a 12-storey transport hub, and 100,000 sq ft of office space at the 8.5-acre Ordsall Lane site.
Salford City Council will determine the hybrid application for the transformation of the Soapworks site off Ordsall Lane and Colgate Lane at its planning committee next week.
The authority’s planning officers have recommended the £200m plans, first lodged in January 2024 and backed by landowner GMPF, for approval.
Bankfoot APAM is seeking full consent for the 775-space, 12-storey transport hub – which will consolidate parking provision on the site and free up surface level car parks for development – and the redevelopment of Block D.
Block D, a vacant commercial building already standing at the site’s west end, was originally earmarked by the developers for conversion into 130,000 sq ft of office space. However, a rethink saw the office provision reduced to 100,000 sq ft.
The block will also feature a gym and 78 affordable homes.
Outline consent is sought for buildings of 33, 17, and 10 storeys comprising 500 apartments in future phases.
Chapman Taylor is the architect on the project and AshtonHale is leading on planning matters.
The Greater Manchester Pension Fund is assisting with the financing of the project.
Crookes Walker Consulting, Exterior Architecture, Urban Green, Core 5, and Roger Hannah are all advising the applicants.
To view the planning application, use the reference PA/2023/0435 in Salford City Council’s planning portal.
This looks fantastic. A plot in such a prime location should not be a surface car park – this will do wonders for the water front and bridge the gap between the city and the Quays
By Anonymous
Disappointing that there’s a fair amount of blank wall facing the water – the most coveted city view
By GetItBuilt!
This is brilliant news. I go past there on the tram everyday and that space has been crying out for redevelopment. The plans look mint
By Dave W
What makes a multi-storey car park into a “transport hub”? Ridiculous ‘developer-speak’
By Prescotian
It is about time proper locks were installed connecting the Docklands and River Irwell Navigation to the Bridgewater Canal and a couple of canal boat havens built next to the Quays. Make the Quays a destination and stayover mooring for canal boat traffic. My idea first?
By James Yates
Peel – take note! Pomona Island, on the other side of the canal, should be developed to an equally high quality and activate the waterfront in a similar way, maximising public benefits for all!
By Anonymous
I hope that put more effort into the waterfront walkway, maybe newer tiles, lights and plants z
By Anonymous
A thoughtful design at last, which almost prevents any tagging from the vandals that have blighted the rest of this stretch. Well done
By Steve
Needs a footbridge connecting it to Pomona Island
By ALL
Agree with a number of the comments. This scheme looks smart and Peel need to take note. More green space and quality public realm. Pomona Island is screaming for a nice big park.
By Anonymous
TfGM needs to increase capacity on this tramline. The site is very close to Exchange Quay tram stop and commuters often cant get onto trams at this stop heading to Manchester on busy mornings
By Anonymous