Ordsall campaigners who failed to block £1.3bn plans to build a 78-storey skyscraper and nine more tower blocks on a Salford retail park have vowed to fight on to improve the scheme.
They objected to the 3,300-home redevelopment of the Regent Road retail park, which includes 660 social homes, replacing most of the existing shops.
Residents say they will miss the convenience of local shops and businesses although the main supermarket will remain and some new shops are part of the plan.
One shopper said: “This is where I come to do my main shopping now.”
Many campaigners against the project understand more homes are needed, but they are worried that the planned infrastructure of roads, schools and GPs will not cope with the influx of people.
One objector said: “It will only make commuting worse.”
But the plans from developer Henley Investment Management were approved last month by Salford City Council despite the protests.
Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, who opposed the plans, said: “This was not the result we were hoping for as we believe there are significant outstanding concerns with Henley’s plans that have not been addressed.”
Residents opposed to the plan formed Save Regent Retail Park Campaign (SRRPC) in August 2024 which highlighted a range of concerns. These included:
• Lack of detail or guarantees for truly affordable social rent housing.
- Insufficient parking spaces and an inadequate local parking permit scheme.
• Lack of comprehensive assessments for health services, schools and transport infrastructure impacts for the wider Ordsall area.
• Loss of local jobs and affordable shops during the construction period in an area with high levels of deprivation.
• The tall towers are out of character for the area and will overshadow low lying residential and historic areas.
The MP continued: “Resident concerns for Henley’s plans have not gone away so the campaign will not go away. In light of the planning panel decision the campaign will review options with the community and agree next steps to challenge Henley’s current plans which do not meet the needs of local residents for local services.”
This development is set to take 10 years, and the highest block would bethe third tallest building in the country
With Salford’s population rising fast, Orsdall is a popular location for the skyscrapers with Media City being only a 10-minute drive away.
HIM managing director, Jay Squier, said the new high-rise community will be a “once in a lifetime opportunity for Salford”.
The company says the transformative project will create a new green mixed-use neighbourhood in Salford, delivering essential housing, jobs, and community amenities to the local area.
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