Decision on £250 million plan for nearly 500 Greater Manchester city homes due soon

A huge housing scheme which could see the last remaining family on a Salford street forced out of their home looks set for approval by city councillors next week (Thursday, December 21).

Demonique Wilson and his wife Thabo own the only occupied home on Holcombe Close, Pendleton where they live with their five children. The property stands in the way of a £250million regeneration scheme taking shape in the area since 2009.

Lovell, SP+ and Together Housing’s plan to build 485 homes on the 22-acre development which will include 70 per cent of homes for sale on the open market and 30pc affordable homes. The plan will be considered by councillors on Salford’s planning and transportation regulatory panel on Thursday.

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service two weeks ago, Mr Wilson has criticised the council for offering him only the price of a two-bedroom home – £165,000 – before his house can be bulldozed.

Mr Wilson says to buy a three-bed home with same space as the Holcombe Close property would cost between £227,000 and £300,000. But the city council is arguing that it can only pay the market value of the family’s house and says it has offered the family additional assistance in the form of a relocation equity loan to help bridge any gap to help them buy a new home. 

If approved, the 22-acre development will include 70 per cent of homes for sale on the open market and 30pc affordable homes. Some 10 apartment blocks will range in height from three to four storeys and the houses will stand between two and three storeys.

Included in the scheme will be about 10 acres of green space, half of which will be occupied by Clarendon Park, with the rest allocated to the Fitzwarren Street and Churchill Way gateways to the development, allotments and a skate park.

The local authority has made 81 individual amendments to the original plans submitted on behalf of the applicants design and consulting specialist Stantec Ltd.

A covering letter to the authority from Stantec says: “Since 2009, Pendleton has been the focus of regeneration activity. The city council’s longstanding aim has been to create a new neighbourhood of choice where people and families have a real pride in the place where they live.

“Consistent with the work that has been ongoing for more than a decade, the vision for this full planning application is to deliver Salford’s greenest and most family-friendly urban neighbourhood.”

It said this would be achieved by delivering new homes that ‘will increase the local population and enhance the quality of life for all’.

“With this vision in mind, the plans have been designed to create a walkable and cycle-friendly neighbourhood that breathes new life into Pendleton by delivering a choice and range of new homes – for a range of occupiers, including existing Salfordians, young professionals, families, retired and mature people or couples,” the letter also says.