Partner announced for £2.5bn Salford regeneration plans

The English Cities Fund has been confirmed as the development partner for the £2.5bn Salford Crescent masterplan.

The fund, which is a strategic joint venture between urban regenerators Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England, will now lead on the creation of a major new 240-acre city district in Salford over the next ten to 15 years.

It has the potential to create 3,000 new homes, one million square feet of commercial and innovation space for health automation and robotics as well as one million square feet of education floor space.

The plan continues the major regeneration and success of recent planned development in the surrounding areas of Chapel Street, New Bailey and Greengate.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: ‘Congratulations go to The English Cities Fund for being selected as the development partner for the Salford Crescent Masterplan.

‘It is a very exciting opportunity to move our vision forward and create a new city district that is fit for generations in this city. A thank you goes to all those who made the shortlist and took part in the process. It was a very strong field.

‘Salford is a city of firsts and is always looking to the future. We were at the beating heart of the industrial revolution and had the first free public park and first gas lit street, which are both in the area that the masterplan covers. The development will continue that vision.

‘It is a very difficult time at the moment with the coronavirus pandemic and we are doing all we can at the council to help the most vulnerable, protect the NHS and save lives. But we have staff working at home who continue to work on moving the masterplan forward and we will have an official launch event at a more suitable time”.

Phil Mayall, regional director at The English Cities Fund, said: ‘It’s an exciting and proud moment for everyone at the fund, as we hear the news that we’ve been selected to deliver the transformational Salford Crescent masterplan.

‘Our relationship with the council is strong, following the success of what we’re delivering together at Salford Central, and we’re very much looking forward to forging a similar bond with the university as the scheme progresses. Salford is home for us. We’re based here and we’re part of the changing cityscape.

‘The city is steeped in history, but also shares our progressive vision for the future, and we’re delighted to be continuing to create innovative spaces and places that benefit communities.’