News

‘World class’ regeneration plans for MediaCity and Salford Quays approved

Developers say the approved plans will transform the area and set it up for the next decade.

Emily Sergeant - 27th March 2024

It’s official – more than 3,000 new homes, and “unparalleled access” to employment, retail, leisure, and recreation is on its way to Salford.

That’s because “world class” plans to regenerate MediaCity and Salford Quays have finally been approved this week.

After first being unveiled back in October of last year, and following what Salford Council says has been an “extensive consultation period” with input from the local Salford and wider Greater Manchester community, the proposals to transform the area into an “iconic waterfront destination” that’ll apparently rival some of the finest in the world have now been given the green light.

As well as planning approval, a new artist’s impression image has been released by the Council to show the new “aspirational vision” for the waterfront – which will be the focal point of the regeneration, and form one of four zones.

The “ambitious” plans are said to be inspired by other design-led waterfronts neighbourhoods in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, and Australia’s Darling Harbour.

New and flexible all-weather glass-fronted structures and pavilions are proposed as part of the waterfront regeneration, as well as a new pedestrian link bridge from MediaCity to The Lowry and Quayside, alongside plans to activate ‘North Bay’ too.

A new boardwalk and link bridge along the MediaCity waterfront will feature more green space, innovative art installations, and places for people to eat and drink, while the main MediaCity ‘Piazza’ – in which a cluster of 250 creative, tech, and digital companies including ITV, BBC, and dock10 studios are currently housed around – will also be reimagined, with moveable structures that can provide space for a variety of brand activations all year round.

The new ‘Living Hub’ will feature sustainable homes, businesses, and so-called ‘convenience retail’, while the ‘Culture and Community Hub’ centred in and around Quayside and The Lowry is aiming to be the cultural, leisure, and retail heart of the destination.

“The reshaped regeneration proposals will support us in delivering a world class destination where people will want to live, work, and learn for many years to come,” commented Stephen Wild, who is the Managing Director of MediaCity, as the plans were officially approved this week.

“As the home of future media, MediaCity’s output is global and its environment needs to reflect its international significance.

“While the waterfront is the gateway to MediaCity and the Quays, it’s right that it should compete with some of the finest waterfront destinations in the world, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to make our vision a reality.”

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, has called the regeneration approval “really positive”, as he believes MediaCity has always been a “striking development that has caught the eye and imagination of so many since its inception”.

Read more:

• ‘Ambitious’ plans to regenerate MediaCity and Salford Quays unveiled
• New 144-bedroom Hilton hotel to open in Wigan as part of town’s £135m redevelopment
• Two Greater Manchester towns named among UK’s best places to live in annual Sunday Times ranking

“What’s to come will further cement MediaCity’s position as the place to live and work in the northwest and a must-see destination,” he concluded.

Featured Image – MediaCity