Crescent Innovation North scheme is part of £2.5bn masterplan
A planning application has been submitted to Salford City Council by The English Cities Fund and the University of Salford to bring forward Crescent Innovation North, a key part of their £2.5bn 252-acre Crescent masterplan.
Crescent Innovation North is intended to be a hub for academics and industry thanks to its location north of the university within the Salford Innovation Triangle of Salford Royal Foundation Trust and MediaCity UK.
It will include the delivery of up to 933 new homes and 1.7m sq ft of new commercial floorspace, academic and research facilities, sports facilities and public spaces on a site of approximately 29 acres.
The development is designed by Make Architects and the buildings will vary in heights from two- to 11-storeys. Residential dwellings will be a mixture of open market and affordable homes, although the exact split hasn’t been determined in the outline planning bid.
The English Cities Fund is a joint venture between Muse, Legal & General and Homes England. Set up in 2001, it works with councils, landowners, and key community stakeholders.
Julian Stott, development director at the English Cities Fund, said: “Together with the community, the university and the city council, we’re forging ahead with our collective vision to create a robust and resilient Salford that’s seen on a global stage as a leader of innovation, collaboration and place-making.”
Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, Professor Helen Marshall, said: “This is another exciting step in bringing greater prosperity to our pioneering city, through innovation and applied research.
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Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “It is fantastic news to see that our ambitious plans for Crescent Innovation North are moving forwards.”
Site clearance and preparation works for Crescent Innovation North will include the removal of hardstanding areas and vegetatio. Trees will be retained where possible, including the mature woodland belt adjacent to Wallness Lane and University Road to the south.
There will be a phased demolition of all existing buildings on the site.
The development plan includes improvements to pedestrian, cycle and car access, the creation of new high quality public spaces and outdoor amenities, as well as the installation of new drainage infrastructure, including a new surface water linkage to the River Irwell.
The Crescent masterplan will delivery more 3,000 homes, 1m sq ft of offices, retail, leisure, new public transport, and large areas of green space. It will create up to 7,000 new jobs, with more than £90m expected to be reinvested into local communities, through new revenue from business rates realised on completion of the scheme.
Work is due to begin on Salford Rise, which will connect Frederick Road to the proposed Crescent Innovation North area, this summer.
Three other major new university facilities - the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) building and Energy House 2.0 – have already been completed.
In May, planning was submitted for a new development of 100 affordable one and two-bedroomed Passivhaus apartments within a five- and six-torey building on Peru Street.
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