Fears £1bn tower blocks will push residents out

The community has voiced concerns about what the new development might mean for them

Residents living near proposed new tower blocks in Greater Manchester say they are concerned the development will mean they lose vital shops and jobs, eventually pushing them out of the area.

The £1bn scheme, including the UK’s tallest building outside London, is earmarked for land currently used as a retail park in Salford.

People on the nearby Ordsall estate are concerned that the discount stores there will be demolished and not replaced.

The developer, Henley Investment Management, described it as a “once in a lifetime regeneration scheme that has the potential to transform the future of Ordsall”.

One resident, who lives across the road from the Ordsall estate, told the BBC that many people rely on the discount stores and also work for them.

'Can't afford to live there'

Nic Leonard, from the Save Regent Retail Park group, said: “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?”

Another Ordsall resident, Geoff Tapp, said people on the estate would not be able to afford to move into the new proposed apartments.

He said: “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 blocks would be among the tallest in the country at 77 storeys.

Henley Investment Management said the site would continue to be a local centre for residents, with more jobs on offer than are currently in the area.

In a statement they said: “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".

MP for Salford, Rebecca Long-Bailey, expressed concerns over the plans with a loss of retail siting, a low number of parking spaces and a lack of affordable housing.

Ordsall councillor Ben Grogan said: “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 expected to hear the outline planning application for this scheme early next year with construction potentially beginning some time in 2026, if it gets the go ahead.