UK’s third tallest skyscraper could be built in Salford

Ambitions for a 264-metre tower on the site of Regent Retail Park have been outlined in an EIA scoping opinion request report published on Salford City Council’s planning portal on Thursday.

Henley Investment Management’s project focuses on the northern end of the eight-acre retail park, which counts Home Bargains, Pets at Home, and TK Maxx as tenants. The private equity firm acquired the property in 2020 for £16m.

The scoping request, submitted by Trium Environmental Consulting on Henley’s behalf, describes a prospective plan for the site – designs of which are still in flux, according to the company.

As it stands, the proposals are for the demolition of the existing buildings and phased construction of a large mixed-use complex comprising 10 buildings. The tallest of these could be up to 264 metres tall with basements of up to two levels beneath ground.

An initial scoping report had listed this 264-metre figure as above ordnance datum, but the AOD reference was made in error. Place has since been informed that the building’s overall height is 264 metres and a new scoping report will be submitted to reflect this. With a 264-metre height, the Henley skyscraper would also boast more than 70 storeys – although an exact number has yet to be determined.

The project could also include:

• up to 3,200 residences
• up to 107,600 sq ft of flexible floor space for retail or food and beverage use
• up to 96,900 sq ft of residential amenity, including parks and rooftop gardens
• approximately 600 car parking spaces
• hard and soft landscaping

“We have a clear opportunity to reimagine this site, bringing a combination of new homes alongside retail, restaurants and cafes,” said Warwick Hunter, Henley’s managing director of development.

“A central part of the proposal is focused on opening up the area to encourage more walking and connection to the surrounding area, we are looking to achieve this through the creation of a new urban park,” he continued.

“We are continuing to work closely with the local community as we develop our plans ahead of submission later this summer.  The key aim is to help and improve the lives of the existing community by supplementing the area with green space, affordable homes and a new sense of place.”

If the 264-metre skyscraper is, in fact, built to that height, it would be the third tallest in the UK. The Salford project would sit below two mammoths in London: The Shard (310 metres) and 22 Bishopsgate (278 metres).

It would be the tallest in Greater Manchester, soaring above even Renaker’s latest proposal, which is 213-metres high.

The site of Henley’s plans for a 264-metre skyscraper in Salford. Credit: Google Earth

Access to the proposed transfigured Regent Retail Park would come from Ordsall Lane or Oldfield Lane.

Henley said it was looking to submit an outline application for its vision later this year. An initial consultation on the plan was held in February and March.

Consultants on the scheme include Schofield Lothian, AOC Archaeology Group, Hann Tucker Associates, GIA, Turley, GEA, Quod, OFR Consultants, and Vectos. Matt Brook Architects is leading the design.