Council planners have no objections to a new development of 206 apartments proposed for the banks of the River Irwell as part of the £75 million Adelphi Wharf.
Fortis Developments Ltd have applied to build an 8-storey towerblock consisting of 35 studios, 62 one-bed, 89 two-bed and 13 three-bed flats, along with 7 three-bed townhouses.
The plans include underground car parking for 86 vehicles, a ground floor gym for residents and eventually, an internal courtyard bounded by two further seven-storey blocks.
The 0.7-hectare site formerly occupied the Adelphi Iron Works.
Bounded by the River Irwell to the west and Silk Street to the north, it was last used as the base for the Sir James Farmer Norton engineering works, which was founded in 1852 and by 1961 employed 680 people in the textile finishing trade.
Commercial buildings on the site have long been demolished and its last usage (2011) was for a car park, which is now overgrown and hit by constant flytipping.
Plans have been put forward for a widened 4m x 3m pedestrian pathway to the Irwell riverside, along with planted roof gardens on the top floor of the blocks.
Developer’s contributions of £676,682 for this first phase – based on an expected increase in demand for services and infrastructure – are being challenged by Fortis who say that while 75% of the flats have already been sold off-plan in advance of construction, low profits mean “any contribution would make the development unviable”.
The conclusion of council planners is that “this development would bring forward a brownfield site in accordance with the regeneration aspirations for the wider area.
“The proposed development would make a significant contribution towards the delivery of much needed housing within the city.
“It is considered that if the city is to meet its housing targets then high density residential development will be required in sustainable locations such as this in order to relieve pressure on greenfield sites in more suburban locations.
“Whilst no off site commuted sums would be delivered due to the viability of the scheme the development includes significant public realm, riverside walkway and extensive green roofs are being provided which are considered to have positive impact of the visual amenity of the area and the sustainability credential of the site.”
The plans go in front of Salford City Council’s Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel on Thursday 14 May.
