Plans for 1,000 homes, but only 1 is affordable
MORE than 1,000 new homes could be signed off in Salford this week – including plans for what would become the tallest tower in the city.
But only one affordable home is included in all of those schemes.
Three huge developments are set to be approved by Salford city council’s planning committee tomorrow – among them, One Heritage Tower in Greengate.
The 55-storey skyscraper - with an adjoining 14-storey block – would be the highest tower in Salford,
if it’s given the green light this week.
Some 545 apartments are included in the project, which would sit in a historic corner of Salford that has seen significant development in recent years.
But no affordable housing included in the proposals.
The developers also say that for ‘reasons of scheme viability’ they cannot ‘support the maximum contribution being requested by the city council’ – financial payments made by developers to town halls for local community projects (which can include money is for affordable housing elsewhere in the city). However they have agreed to pay £2.4m towards ‘public realm’ within the Greengate district – specifically a new ‘pedestrianfocused’ space called Market Cross, designed to mark the ‘birthplace of Salford.’
Council papers say there should be a ‘clawback’ mechanism included in the agreement, whereby a developer has to contribute more cash to local projects if its scheme makes more money than anticipated.
Also on the planning agenda is a proposal for 457 upmarket student digs in Salford Quays.
One thing not included in the scheme is affordable housing – documents going before the town hall committee say that affordable housing is not required within student accommodation.
Council officers are recommending that the scheme is approved, providing the developer Bricks Capital pay towards a series of local projects.
Also on the agenda in tomorrow’s meeting are plans for nearly 400 apartments across a series of blocks in Ordsall – where only one would be classed as affordable.