From Docks to Quays: the jewel in Salford’s crown

The Industrial Revolution, and in particular the shipbuilding boom, changed the city beyond recognition. Its eventual decline had just as much influence.

In more recent years, these same iconic docks have been reinvented again, into a new city in and of itself.

The city council recognised the potential of this historically unique and culturally important area, in its forward-thinking Salford Quays Development Plan, adopted in 1985.

The Plan envisioned a new mixed-use quarter with a unique character derived from the area’s relationship to water.  It was followed by outline applications first in 1995 and then in 2006, providing a masterplan to guide the comprehensive redevelopment of the Quays area over the last 30 years - including the renowned MediaCity development.

The bold vision paid off.

40 years on, the area is the hub for two of the nation’s biggest television broadcasters, numerous tv production studios, home to the nation’s best-loved soap opera (fans of Eastenders may disagree), a successful commercial, shopping and leisure destination and an award-winning cultural centre in the Lowry Centre.

Our first project in Salford was also at the Quays, where we advised Liveman Properties in 2014 on the redevelopment of the Grade II listed Dock Office into 67 new apartments.

Central Salford: the untapped potential

Salford’s city centre, which forms half of the Greater Manchester’s city centre, was for too long overlooked by its bigger and noisier neighbour.

But with so much potential to help meet housing demand, and its position in the regional city centre, it’s an area that has truly transformed over the last 40 years.

From riverside locations in New Bailey and Embankment, to the rejuvenated canal side Middlewood Locks, there are new developments sprouting up everywhere you look. Salford’s city centre has changed beyond recognition.

Market-facing development frameworks have brought clarity and helped to bring the public and private actors together. Salford has prioritised building successful partnerships with developers to achieve lasting change.

The city’s medieval heart, Greengate, has experienced huge transformation, in part due to its proximity to the centre of Manchester. Our earliest involvement in the city centre came when we advised Salboy on Local Blackfriars, its first scheme, in 2014. (You can watch Salboy’s Simon Ismail talk about why it’s his favourite scheme here).

From Local Crescent to Fifty5ive Queen Street, this area of Salford has all the irresistible traits that Manchester’s city centre boasts – fantastic accessibility, heritage, proximity to services and attractions. 

Looking beyond the city centre

Ours and our clients’ horizons have inevitably broadened. There is certainly plenty of scope for meeting housing needs and embracing Salford’s rich heritage north and west of the city centre.

Back in 2017 we advised the University of Salford on their development of Castle Irwell, its former student accommodation site, devising a planning strategy for securing outline planning permission. Subsequently, we became planning advisor to developer Salboy on how best to deliver the scheme. Now occupied, it’s receiving plenty of well-deserved recognition for its design, which prioritises public open space right at its heart. It’s one of my favourite projects to have worked on in my career.

What’s next in Salford?

We don’t see the appetite for high density city centre schemes changing any time soon, such is the desire for city centre living and Salford’s potential for meeting that need.

But we do see momentum picking up across Salford’s periphery. Eccles, Swinton and Pendlebury each have their own identities and heritage, and as the first generation of Salford’s city centre dwellers matures, they are looking for more space and respite from city life.

More than that, though, Salford City Council continues to provide affordable housing for its residents and is making great progress through Dérive Salford. Established in 2017, Dérive has ambitions to address Salford’s shortfall in affordable homes, deliver 3,000 new homes across the borough, invest in high-quality truly affordable homes and prioritise people in housing need. With another 25 affordable homes approved for Little Hulton earlier this month, the project is building momentum and making a real difference.

As town planners, we're privileged to have played a role in Salford’s story, and wherever we look, this great city’s stories are still being written.

With such transformation taking place over the last 40 years, we can’t even begin to imagine what the next 40 years holds for this dynamic city.