Image supplied by Glenn Howells Architects

This is a major mixed use development to create a new community at the heart of the old city of Salford, in the historic Chapel Street area.  It will strengthen the link between Salford and Manchester city centres
by expanding Salford’s side of the regional centre.

The development will regenerate the area by providing over 300,000 sq. metres of new floorspace. Around 850 new homes will be built and some 9,500 jobs created. In addition to providing the usual city centre mix of offices, retail, hotels, leisure and food and drink outlets, the development also has a focus on incubating creative industries. The Chapel Street area has an active community of artists, musicians and media outlets. This community has its strongest representation at Islington Mill Studios within the wider Central Salford regeneration area. The development will provide new flexible workshops and studio spaces around Chapel Street to support and establish companies and communities of artists. The development will complement other existing and planned creative industries investment at nearby Salford University and MediaCity:UK at Salford Quays.

Services Provided
Since its appointment in summer 2007 DPP has provided strategy advice leading to key project milestones for the drafting and adoption of Planning Guidance in 2008. We also had significant input to a Development Framework and masterplan for the area in 2009 and we drafted a heritage and conservation strategy and
heritage management strategy for the client. DPP has also provided advice outside the core planning work for the local community alongside the Urban Regeneration Company, for example to Islington Mill Studios.

Achievements
In July 2009 DPP submitted the hybrid planning application for the regeneration masterplan which received approval from Salford City Council in January 2010 subject to Government Office referral. We produced relevant supporting information on planning, regeneration, heritage, sustainability and design matters, and coordinated and compiled the accompanying EIA. We have coordinated and advised on public consultation and worked with Central Salford URC to engage local groups and the community. We also assisted in
drafting legal agreements and a unique Development Trust Account mechanism for cross-subsidy lower value uses and sites.

In a working partnership with English Cities Fund, Central Salford URC and Salford City Council, we drafted Planning Guidance; assisted with production of the Development Framework and masterplan; submitted the Hybrid Planning Application with supporting evidence; and coordinated the EIA submission. DPP has assisted the negotiation of legal agreements, Development Trust Account and response to third party objectors. The scheme is an exciting leap into the future for Salford and DPP continues to provide strategic advice for this complex project, including for the future compulsory purchase inquiry anticipated in 2010.