Salford approves plans for ‘living wall’ office block

Salford City Council has given the green light to plans for a 12-storey office building clad with full-height living walls.

The new fossil-fuel free building is part of the New Bailey masterplan, which is being developed by the English Cities Fund – a joint venture between Legal & General, Muse Developments and Homes England – in Salford.

‘Plot A3 New Bailey’ – as it is known – has been designed by Make Architects to act as a gateway scheme to the development.

Once complete, the building will clad with a veil of ivy which will absorb air pollution and reduce urban temperatures, while also offering thermal benefits to occupiers and improving the area’s biodiversity.

‘To receive the news that we’ve been given approval to bring what will be an iconic scheme forward is a strong endorsement of our commitment to building back better, in a bid to deliver real environmental and social outputs to benefit our communities,’ said English Cities Fund projects director, Phil Marsden.

‘Despite the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we’re still seeing a demand for high-quality office space, that not only provides an agile environment in which to work from that promotes colleague wellbeing, but also spaces that’re climate resilient and adaptable to our changing world.

‘We’re excited to add another building to the ever-expanding Salford skyline, while also bringing a new offering to the city. The wider New Bailey development is truly mixed-use, and our aim is to continue to drive opportunity, growth and prosperity for all,’ added Mr Marsden.

Salford city mayor, Paul Dennett, added: ‘It is fantastic news that this innovative scheme has been approved at planning panel as it will create jobs, growth and new opportunities for local people. It is so important that fossil free buildings schemes like this one are replicated across the city and is a great step forward in realising our longer-term plans to be a carbon neutral city by 2038.’

Photo Credit – Supplied