Residents Express Concerns Over £1bn Tower Development’s Community Impact

In Greater Manchester, residents residing close to a proposed new tower block development have voiced concerns that the project could lead to the loss of crucial shops and employment opportunities, ultimately forcing them to relocate from the vicinity. This £1bn initiative, which encompasses what would be the United Kingdom’s highest structure beyond London, is designated for a plot of land in Salford presently occupied by a retail park. Inhabitants of the adjacent Ordsall estate are apprehensive that the current discount retail outlets will be razed and no substitutes will be provided. Henley Investment Management, the developer, characterized the project as a “once in a lifetime regeneration scheme that has the potential to transform the future of Ordsall”. A resident, whose home is situated opposite the Ordsall estate, informed the BBC that numerous individuals depend on these discount stores for their shopping needs and are also employed by them. Nic Leonard, representing the Save Regent Retail Park group, stated: “The retail park is now at the heart of our community. “We lose the retail park, we lose our community, we lose the estate, we haven’t got anywhere else. “We need our charity shops, our budget food shops. Where else are were meant to go? Where else are we meant to shop?” Geoff Tapp, another resident of Ordsall, commented that individuals residing on the estate would lack the financial means to relocate into the newly planned apartments. He remarked: “Too many people are leaving this city. “People’s children can’t get a property within the area any more. We can’t afford to go and live over there. We’re already saturated with apartments, all around us”. One of the planned structures is projected to reach 77 storeys, positioning it among the tallest in the nation. Henley Investment Management indicated that the location would persist as a community hub for residents, providing a greater number of employment opportunities than are presently available in the vicinity. In an official statement, they declared: “Henley has been and continues to work closely with Salford officers, consultees, and local residents on the application to ensure it meets all expectations and policy requirements whilst still delivering for the community. “Henley is absolutely committed to delivering a material number of affordable homes and is actively working with the local authority and its wholly owned development company (RP) Dérive, to find a solution that sits externally to planning obligations and viability assessments”. Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Member of Parliament for Salford, voiced apprehensions concerning the proposals, citing the elimination of retail space, a limited provision of parking facilities, and an insufficient supply of affordable housing. Ordsall councillor Ben Grogan commented: “The developers have come in and they are going to knock down a valuable local area. “The shops that all the local residents use, the vets, pharmacy. “The developer says they’re going to put new artisan shops, coffee shops on the ground floor of the apartments. It’s not really not fit for purpose for local residents”. Salford Council is anticipated to review the preliminary planning application for this project in the early part of next year, with construction potentially commencing at some point in 2026, contingent on approval. For more content, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and engage with BBC Manchester via Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Further information on our external linking policy is available.