Middlewood Locks: 1,000 new homes, shops and bars planned for Salford development

A blueprint for 1,000 new homes, a hotel, shops and bars in three towers ranging from nine to 25 storeys high at Salford’s growing Middlewood Locks scheme has been approved.

Councillors on the city’s planning and transportation regulatory panel gave the thumbs up for outline permission to Fairbriar Developments’ multi-million pound plan.

The proposal is for a plot of land at Middlewood Street, where affordable homes will be built opposite the Fusion residential development and three more parcels east of Oldfield Road.

Plans also include a multi-story car park and more than a million square feet of office space.

Landscaped green space next to the restored Bolton and Bury Canal, public realm and pedestrian access is also part of the scheme.

More detailed plans will be brought forward under reserved matters at a later stage.

The site covers a total of nearly seven acres between Ordsall Lane, Hampson Street and Trinity Way near elevated railway lines above arches that lead to Salford Central Station.

Two residents from the Fusion apartments opposite the Middlewood Street site voice objections over the potential loss of light.

However, Coun Philip Cusack said more detailed proposals were yet to be brought forward at the reserved matters stage.

He went on: “This will be a massive enhancement to a growing and vibrant community around old locks.

“It’s one of the better and more exciting developments in the conurbation. There is some excellent public realm and it will make a significant contribution to Salford’s further development as a leading northern city.”

On Plot A tower will house 560 residential units and drinking establishments and will be built to a maximum of 25 storeys

Plot B will be built to a maximum of 16 storeys and accommodate 280 homes and the hotel, while plots C and D will also climb to a maximum height of 16 storeys with 280 homes and include the multi-storey car park.

Plot P will be a maximum of nine storeys and house 70 residential units.