Salford retail park set to be demolished by property developer

Helen Clarke

Regent Road Retail Park in Salford is set to be demolished as a property developer has submitted plans to build 3,300 apartments on the site.

Henley Investment Management plans to demolish Regent Retail Park’s shops against the wishes of local residents and staff who have set up the Save Regent Retail Park Campaign (SRRPC).

A public meeting was held on Saturday 25th January with speakers including Rebecca Long-Bailey MP and Councillor Brendan Keville as well as local residents.

Member of Parliament Rebecca Long Bailey said: "Development should enhance a local area and meet local need, but sadly the development proposals do quite the opposite and would cause clear detriment.

"We need more social and affordable housing - instead it provides none, we need more amenities and social infrastructure, instead it will demolish a busy retail park which plays a vital role in the local economy, offering employment to a significant number of people and providing essential services to the community.

"We need to reduce the street parking nightmare that the residents of Ordsall face. Sadly it is clear that this development as it stands is not what the local area desperately needs and I am right behind local residents and councillors in objecting to it."

A petition to save the retail park currently stands at more than 750 signatures with many expressing concerns over the lack of infrastructure for the project.

The campaign group has submitted a Community Objection Report to Salford Council which includes key objections for increased disruption and congestion during 10 years of construction, loss of well used affordable shops and local jobs, and more luxury apartments without the affordable homes and family housing needed.

Brendan Keville, Labour Councillor for Ordsall said: "The retail park is packed every day serving tens of thousands of shoppers in the Salford and Manchester area.

"Henleys want to put a wrecking ball through the local economy this is not sustainable development."

One local resident described the proposed development as "ten years of disruption and congestion."

The petition to stop the development can be viewed here: https://www.change.org/p/save-regent-retail-park-campaign