Huge skyscraper proposed for Salford in plans worth £1bn

A gigantic 70+ storey skyscraper could tower over Salford in an updated £1 billion development scheme for Regent Retail Park.

The regeneration scheme submitted by Henley Investment Management outlines plans for 3,300 homes across 10 buildings; this includes the UK’s tallest tower outside London.

A planning report states that the proposed new homes will be a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom properties, some of which will be ‘affordable’.

The redevelopment would see five acres of public open space and 10,000 sq meters of community and commercial space.

A large chunk of the current Retail Park would be demolished, while the Sainsbury’s Supermarket would remain untouched.

The development would be based on the northern side of the park, which is near the boundary with Manchester city centre.

Warwick Hunter, the managing director of development at Henley, claimed that the development would be “just as much for existing residents as the new arrivals who will call it home.”

He previously claimed: “It will be a district centre that Salford can be proud of that has a real sense of community and a sense of place and is completely part of the Ordsall fabric.”

Henley acquired the site for £16m in late 2020 when the country was still in the grip of the Covid pandemic. The site/ car park is currently occupied by shops such as TK Maxx, Home Bargains, and Boots.

Henley wants to knock down the existing 116,000 sq ft of big box retail. However, the developer claims the plan is to re-provide much of what will be lost as part of the site’s regeneration.

More than 100,000 sq ft of flexible commercial and community space is proposed and talks with existing occupiers, which include TX Maxx and Boots, are ongoing, according to Hunter.

Some locals have previously expressed their discontent on social media in response to an announcement of the project.

One user, Julie Smith, said: “More flats, losing well used shops and definitely won’t be enough parking! And if you are bringing all those extra people what about doctors, chemists, schools etc.”

Meanwhile another user, Kaye Ryan, said: “Cut through all the fancy talk and they’re just building more flats that nobody can afford to live in. Meanwhile we lose all the shops.”

Henley is targeting vacant possession of phase one of the site by 2026.

To find out more about the development, click here.