Next week, the planning panel of Salford City Council will consider a planning application from the University of Salford for a massive housing development on the former student accommodation site at Castle Irwell in Charlestown.
The Uni is looking for 'outline' planning permission, which means none of the plans are concrete, but, in principal, it's for five hundred houses, 25,000 square feet of retail space and provision of land for either a secondary or primary school.
During the 'community consultation' (see here), the main issues brought up were 'Details of the school', 'Affordability of houses', 'Level of affordable housing' and 'Potential environmental impact and impact on public services'...
In its planning statement the University stresses that "The site falls within a 'low value area' where no contributions for affordable housing will be sought" – that is thanks to Salford Council's shocking planning policy.
The report, to be seen by councillors next week, adds that "the provision of affordable housing here is considered unviable", although it would like to see a "balanced mix of dwellings".
When this application was brought up at last night's East Salford Community Committee, many people were extremely concerned, firstly that they hadn't had proper notice of it, and, secondly, about the impact on nearby roads that the development would have.
Even the Council's Consultant Highways Engineer "originally raised concerns regarding the proposed access points leading into the site"...
There will be three access points off Cromwell Road – one near the turnstiles, one opposite the Seaford Road intersection and one opposite the Beeley Street intersection. Plus two new access points off Littleton Road between Romney and Milnthorpe Streets and adjacent to the River Irwell.
The Council officer also asked for "other improvements to public transport infrastructure and pedestrian/cycle routes"...but, according to the Council, "these concerns have now been resolved"...
The developers will be paying £145,000 to fund 'improved traffic signal control systems at Lower Broughton Road/Frederick Street, Broughton Road/Seaford Road and Broughton Road/Cromwell Road//Lissadel Street'; plus £30,000 to 'upgrade existing bus stops adjacent to the site'; and £50,000 to fund 'a new signal controlled pedestrian crossing adjacent to the Cromwell Road'...
They will also pay £464,000 for 'the provision of and/or improvements to local sports facilities at Bolton Road, Rabbit Hills and Salford Sports Village' to mitigate the loss of a playing pitch and cricket oval on the site and a new replacement pitch at David Lewis Playing Field (which is now actually owned by the University since a land swap with the Council a few years ago).
The report does not state how many trees will be lost through development and none are officially protected. It adds that "This development represents an opportunity to further protect and enhance the value of the River Irwell wildlife corridor and positively integrate with adjoining wildlife areas whilst also creating a high-quality and multifunctional green infrastructure asset for both people and wildlife"...although residents might think otherwise.
The Council also looked at the impact of five hundred houses on air quality, flood risk and drainage, transport and ecology but found the University's Environmental Statement "acceptable". The locally listed old racecourse turnstiles will be saved and "used for commercial purposes"...
Councillors on the Council's Planning Panel will consider the outline application next week...
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
