Salford City Council and the University of Salford have agreed a key milestone in their ambition to develop a world class new city district.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the two parties paving the way for the selection of a private sector partner to deliver the ambitious masterplan and the aim is to have a single entity or consortium appointed and starting work by the end of this year.
A prospectus detailing the huge scale of opportunity right across the 200-acre site was launched today on the international property stage at MIPIM in Cannes.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We are looking for the right kind of private sector partner, a partner which recognises the city’s ambition for inclusive growth and development which benefits the people of our city.
“We will want to know they recognise and understand the unique social value opportunities afforded by these developments, local jobs and training as well as the supply chain and explain how they can best be delivered through inventive processes and partnership working.
“The district aspires to be a beacon of planning and design, incorporating modern infrastructure and R&D. If it is done right we have an opportunity to drive the kind of development here that could be a model across the world.”
University of Salford Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall said: “We are looking forward to hearing from developers who truly understand our vision for The Crescent. Salford is the fastest growing economy in Greater Manchester and our University is the fastest growing in the North West, so we’re looking for a partner whose ambition matches our own.
“Bringing together partners to drive progress is fundamental to our philosophy as a University and collaboration runs deep in the DNA of this city, so we want The Crescent to be a place where science meets creativity and industry meets innovation, to create a truly unique place to live, learn, work and play.”
The Masterplan, by 5plus Architects, provides opportunities for:
- High quality residential development
- Re- purposing historic and award-winning buildings
- Quality mix of commercial / retail on the ground floors
- Creation of a cultural hub focussing on Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Old Fire Station and the Working Class Movement Library
- Opportunity for development of high quality, industry facing incubation, enterprise and research space to support the City’s and University of Salford’s economic growth locations.
5plus Architects Director Tony Skipper, said: “Our plans are radical; we have created a masterplan framework that will deliver a new city district with a mix and variety of use, including housing, education, arts and culture, to rival any other.
“Only minutes from the centre of Manchester; connected by mainline rail services; the masterplan has significant appeal. Our design approach has been based on a place-making strategy which builds upon the essence of Salford; retaining its uniqueness; building on its heritage, research and industrial strengths and growing its local community."
The Partnership is focussed on delivering the Masterplan in its entirety, and the chosen Private Sector partner will be required to prepare a Development Framework and take the lead on consulting with the community and drawing up a Strategic Delivery Plan.
CBRE are advising on the process and National Head of Planning & Development
Iain Jenkinson, said: “This prospectus presents an opportunity to the market to get involved in one of the largest mixed-use schemes un the UK. A project for the next 20 years that will be transformative, not just for Salford but for the wider city region. This Partnership has already shown great vision and we expect huge levels of interest from the private sector to help deliver that vision. We are looking to have identified a preferred Private Sector Partner by summer 2019 and fully anticipate to be working proactively with that partner to bring the Masterplan to life through the second half of the year.”
The full prospectus and contact details can be downloaded via the dedicated website.