Town hall chiefs give go-ahead to new flats
THE development of a Salford street continues to pick up pace after planning chiefs gave developers the goahead to build an eight-story block of flats.
The majority of the planning committee was in favour of the development on Chapel Street, except for Coun Ray Walker, who said he was worried about the precedent it would set.
Developers Mansion House have been given permission to build an eight-storey apartment block on an empty plot on Bexley Square.
It will have 21 studios and 28 twobedroom flats – as well as a commercial unit, a residential lobby and a 56-space bicycle store. Shops are also part of the blueprints.
Council officers said that while the building’s height was bigger than the town hall would like, it fits in with the ‘emerging character’ of the area – and that any harm caused by the development would be ‘less than substantial.’
Coun Walker said: “If you use the argument that an extra storey would create less than substantial harm to the overall area, then you could justify adding storeys and storeys on top of buildings along Chapel Street, to the point that you could have 20-storey buildings.”
“Therefore, isn’t there justification to say that if you allow the additional storey to not be creating substantial harm then you can justify doing this again and again and building upwards?
“To the point where what used to be a seven-story average skyline could be more than that in years to come.”
Officers said the development would not set a precedent and that the building’s eight storeys would be approved in the context of masterplan guidelines and the area’s need for redevelopment.
Coun Derek Antrobus welcomed the development.
He said: “I am particularly pleased that this development is coming forward.
“It has been a site that many have had particular interest in over the years, especially because of its impact on Islington Park and the fact that we now have properties that will overlook that park.
“That was one of the designing principles that we argued for at the very beginning and, as investments come to the park, it will make it a real hub of that community.”
The application did not include any affordable homes.
Developers have agreed to contribute £217,000 in section 106 money – £144,000 of which will go to improving St Stephen Street Gardens and £73,500 on ‘public realm’ improvements at Cathedral Walk.