‘We’re boxing people in with no sunlight’, says Salford councillor as 26-storey tower is approved

Planning bosses have been accused of ‘boxing people in with no sunlight’ after a new apartment block on a parcel of land in the heart of Salford was approved.

Despite objections, the 26-storey tower with 250 apartments will take shape in the Chapel Wharf Development Framework area between Trinity Way and Blackfriars Road will now take shape after existing buildings have been demolished.

Some 37 letters of objection to Trinity 2 Ltd’s application were received by Salford city council’s planning department.

Coun Bob Clarke accused planners of ‘boxing people in with no sunlight’ at a meeting of the city’s planning and transportation panel.

He said: “I can’t see how this contributes in any way shape or form to net diversity and sustainability. 

“The building is appalling, it’s dull and boring. We can’t keep sticking rubbish like this up. It’s grim. We are just boxing people in with no sunlight.”

Coun Clarke said he failed to see how anything would grow in the green area around the development because of the overshadowing.

However, the panel gave the green light to the development despite objections from Blackfriars and Trinity councillor Jane Hamilton and residents.

The planning permission includes a £1million off-site affordable housing contribution.

Residents fear the huge building will tower over neighbouring homes in the  already densely populated area as well as the Audacious Church and its coming five-storey extension which has already been approved.

A prior application for a much taller building was previously knocked back by the planning officers with Trinity 2 advised to think again.

Coun Hamilton told the panel: “Trinity residents have had a lot to put up with regarding development.

“Residents still feel that this building isn’t in keeping with developments in Blackfriars. It will cause significant overshadowing of neighbours’ homes.

“Blackfriars and Trinity has experienced considerable development over recent years.”

Chair of the panel Coun Phil Cusack said ‘considerable consultation’ had taken place regarding the development.

Coun Mike McCusker said the city had experienced ‘tremendous growth’ in the last 10 years and was committed to building a further 40,000 homes by 2040, on predominantly brownfield sites. 

“Having developments in the city centre is where we see we are trying to meet that growth.”

Some 31 of the flats will be studio apartments and 93 will be one-bedroom with a further 111 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom, with one as a duplex. And 20 per cent of the homes will be ‘affordable’.

Meanwhile, the conversion of the office building Baskerville House on Browncross Street, Salfordinto a business studies hub for the UA92 educational institution, affiliated with Lancaster University was also approved.

In addition, plans to convert a former office building in Garden Street, Eccles into a 10-person house of multiple occupation have been given the green light.