Henley Investments is bringing forward plans to redevelop Regent Retail Park, into a new, green neighbourhood for Salford.

Creating a modern residential development close to local services, Regent Park will provide attractive new homes to help meet the housing demand of a growing population, centred around a five acre green space running through the heart of the site.  The delivery of proposals will see significant investment into the area, creating a new Neighbourhood Centre with shops, restaurants, and other local amenities  that can meet the needs of future generations. 

The application site is the c.130,000 square feet of retail space in the northern part of Regent Retail Park, currently occupied by Costa Coffee and JD Sports at one end to TK Maxx at the other, and the associated car parking. On the boundary of Salford and Manchester, the retail park itself lies between Regent Road (A57) to the south, the railway to the north, Oldfield Road to the west, and Ordsall Lane to the east.

The development proposals are concerned with the northern portion of the retail park only. Sainbury’s supermarket, its petrol station, and the current occupiers of the store to the south east of the site (Dreamland Imaginarium) will not be affected by the proposals.

The retail units are held under lease and the earliest they expire is 2026. As such, it is several years until we anticipate the stores will have to close which provides ample time for the retailers to forward plan with their staff. 

The site is owned by Henley Investments, who purchased it in October 2020. Henley has a strong track record of significant residential and commercial projects that positively contribute to the local area and their communities. 

The site was developed more than 30 years ago when both the local area and shopping habits were very different to now. In the 1990s, retail parks such as this were places people would drive to and spend a day shopping. Since then, consumer shopping patterns have changed significantly with the rise of online shopping. Physical shops are changing and many retailers require less space. Our town centres are also changing, with more emphasis on dining, leisure and experiences. As a result, regeneration is needed to ensure that the site continues to meet the needs of the local community over the long-term.

The new development will make use of the existing internal road within the retail park,  accessed from Ordsall Lane to the east and Oldfield Road to the west, which have further onward to connections to Chapel Street (A6), Trinity Way (A57(M), Manchester’s inner ring road) and Regent Road (A57). 

Residential parking will be provided but as we are seeking to promote more sustainable modes of transport, vehicle movements will be deliberately limited – the linear centre of Regent Park will be pedestrianised with through access maintained for fire, refuse and service vehicles only.

Yes! The linear centre of Regent Park will be pedestrianised, with new footpaths and cycle routes installed throughout and ample cycle parking provided for residents and visitors alike. 

New streets and routes will knit into the wider community, running out of the site and opening up connections with nearby neighbourhoods like Salford Crescent, Middlewood Locks, Spinningfields and Castlefield. Also, with a new pedestrian and bike-only bridge on the horizon to connect this part of the city with the exciting new Factory International development, future residents and visitors will have safe, quick and easy routes into St John’s Quarter. 

There are a number of public transport options within a short walk or cycle ride from the site, such as Deansgate Railway Station, Cornbrook Tram and Salford Central Railway Station. A number of bus routes also serve the area, including the 33 and 33B. Salford Council is also exploring the potential to realign the Metrolink extension between Salford Crescent and Salford Quays in the future, to further enhance access to the site by public transport.

The site is a designated Neighbourhood Centre under Salford City Council’s planning policy, and Henley Investments recognise the value of the existing retail to the local community. However, the site is outdated and through significant investment in the area, we can move the site on from a retail park based on the needs of the past, to a new, improved and vibrant district centre.

The redevelopment will continue to provide the valued shops and services currently available, and complement it with a diversity of stores, restaurants and leisure uses. As a modern residential neighbourhood, it can also help to address the housing crisis across Greater Manchester, providing much-needed high-quality new homes. The scheme will provide jobs during and after the construction phase, as well as knock-on benefits for shops and services from the additional spend of new residents living at the development.

As our designs are still at an early stage, you have the power to influence how the plans for Regent Park are brought forward. We welcome any comments, ideas or thoughts on what you would like to see and how the scheme can benefit you.

Henley Investments is committed to meaningful engagement with the local community and is determined to deliver a scheme that local people can be proud of, by involving local people from the start.

This consultation is just the first stage of our process: a chance to showcase our vision for Regent Park and hear from you about what you like (or don’t like!) about our ideas, and share your thoughts on what the space could provide. The consultation is live until Wednesday 15 March 2023, so make sure your comments are with us before then. 

All the feedback you provide during this consultation period will be reviewed in detail and used to shape our designs. There will then be a second stage of consultation on more detailed plans around spring/summer, and once both stages are complete, all feedback will be collated in a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

This SCI document sets out how we consulted the community, and what the response to the plans have been, and will be submitted alongside the planning application to Salford City Council later in 2023.