Green light for flats
A SWANKY block of 104 apartments will be built at Greengate in Salford – despite fears about its impact on nearby Blueprint Studios.
The staggered building will scale from seven to 14 storeys at the site off King Street and will offer residents private roof terraces, communal gardens and co-working spaces. It was approved at the council’s planning committee meeting.
Coun Derek Antrobus said the ‘quirky’ brick development was ‘exactly’ what the town hall wanted for its Greengate region.
The flats are largely a mix of one and two-bedroom homes, with six three-bedroom apartments also included.
Tom Flanagan, who spoke at the planning panel on behalf of Paul Butler associates, said the scheme’s ‘sensitive design’ ensures that the development is not ‘restrictive’ on neighbouring sites.
But Ian Stewart, of the nearby Blueprint Studios, said the development would have a ‘direct impact’ on the studio’s loss of light and said he was concerned the venue might have to close during the construction period.
Coun John Warmisham said the studios ‘put Salford on the map’ and also said he was concerned musicians could be put off by the light being blocked out.
He added: “If they stop using it we’re going to lose one of the jewels in the crown.”
But Coun Antrobus said that while he agreed that the studio should be ‘retained and enhanced,’ such venues shouldn’t be left in ‘a sea of dereliction.’
It was council policy, he said, to bring people ‘back into’ the area.
Planning panel chair Coun Ray Mashiter also pointed out that no issues had been raised by residents in the nearby Spectrum development.