Salford’s plans for a ‘new city neighbourhood’

Railway arches which snake through Salford could be opened up as part of a plan to create a ’15-minute neighbourhood’ in the heart of the city centre.
The boundary of the Chapel Wharf Development Framework area. Credit: Salford City Council.The boundary of the Chapel Wharf Development Framework area. Credit: Salford City Council.
The boundary of the Chapel Wharf Development Framework area. Credit: Salford City Council.

A six-week public consultation on a new 15-to-20-year masterplan for the Chapel Wharf area around Salford Central station is set to start in September.

Underpinning the plan is the ’15-minute neighbourhood’ principle in which residents have easy access to goods and services, a mix of housing, green spaces, retail, hospitality and places to work close to home or remotely.

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Victorian viaducts have been highlighted as one of the main development opportunities in the plan which promises to ‘re-invent’ the railway arches.

The Chapel Vaults project aims to make better use of the railway arches, turning them into an ‘exciting, bustling and evolving cultural destination’.

Independent shops could occupy the smaller spaces available while larger linked archways could be used to host galleries, live shows and events.

A mix of day and night time use is proposed both indoors and outdoors.

What else is proposed?

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Other ‘catalyst projects’ include a ‘re-imagined riverside’ by the Lowry Hotel, junction upgrades at Blackfriars Street and a ‘super crossing’ on Trinity Way.

Deputy mayor John Merry approved a public consultation on the draft development framework document at a meeting on Monday (August 9).

Railway arches in Chapel Street, Salford pictured in April 2021. Credit: Google MapsRailway arches in Chapel Street, Salford pictured in April 2021. Credit: Google Maps
Railway arches in Chapel Street, Salford pictured in April 2021. Credit: Google Maps

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Salford mayor Paul Dennett said the council wants this area to be developed in the way other parts of the city have been.

He said: “Significant regeneration and investment has taken place in the historic part of the city of Salford in the neighbouring districts of Greengate and New Bailey, creating new jobs, businesses and homes.

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“In coordinating development, actively thinking about connectivity and place-making, Salford City Council wishes to see similar positive results for Chapel Wharf over the next 15 to 20 years.

“This area has immense potential to create a new sustainable, vibrant, green neighbourhood and river frontage in a part of the city with great historic character and fantastic physical assets such as the railway arches, where people can live, work and relax in open spaces and walk or cycle to the city centre.

“It needs a clear vision and strategy to guide future development and investment and this is what we are bringing forward. A six-week public consultation will begin in September for people to have their say.”

The draft development framework sets out a new vision for the Chapel Wharf area of a ‘central neighbourhood offering an alternative urban experience’.

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It aims to create ‘an authentic place that feeds the mind, body and soul’.

What does the plan aim to do?

Objectives include creating accessible open spaces, providing comfortable, connected and balanced streets and protecting heritage assets in the area.

The four catalyst projects which have been identified in the document could be brought forward ‘at the earliest opportunity’, according to a council report.

This includes the Chapel Vaults project which aims to make the railway arches a ‘rich and characterful environment to be experienced’, rather than a ‘barrier’.

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The Re-imagined Riverside project would see a predominantly green space along the River Irwell created with gardens planted in front of the Lowry Hotel.

Better cycle routes and pedestrian crossings would be installed at the junction of Blackfriars Street and Chapel Street in a project called ‘Flat Iron Square’.

And a paved pedestrian ‘super crossing’ would be built as part of the Trinity Gate Way project which would see more trees planted along the ring road.

Chapel Vaults Activation Strategy. Credit: Salford City Council. Chapel Vaults Activation Strategy. Credit: Salford City Council.
Chapel Vaults Activation Strategy. Credit: Salford City Council.

The six-week public consultation starting in September will take place virtually.

Comments received during the consultation process will be incorporated into the final development framework which will require approval from the council.