A tale of two cities: Greengate public realm scheme approved
Date: 30/11/2009
Source: Creative Concern
Salford and Manchester city councils have granted planning permission for the delivery of phase one of the Greengate public realm scheme worth £10.4million.
Greengate is the 13hectare area of Brownfield land, which includes Salford’s historic core around the crossing of the River Irwell and the area to the north of the Greengate viaduct around the junction of Greengate and Gravel Lane. Approvals for the scheme were given the green light by Manchester City Council on November 9 following Salford City Council approval in July this year.
Greengate is overlooked by Manchester Cathedral and links the two cities together as it stretches from Deansgate, over the River Irwell, down Victoria Street and Victoria Bridge Street to Salford Central.
The Greengate site will provide an important public open space, which can be used for events such as markets and concerts - with a wider network of existing and proposed green spaces. The area will be lit by a variety of columns, beacons and ground lighting to make it safe and welcoming.
The project will be delivered in two stages. The first will include new areas of public realm designed by Whitelaw Turkington and Arup, which will include:
- A pedestrian bridge linking the cities of Salford and Manchester
- The creation of the Urban Cove - a multi-use public space featuring water and bordered by amphitheatre style seating and extensive tree planting
- The link – a linear space – to encourage movement northwards from the end of the bridge into the future Greengate square, which will be lined with active ground floor units, ample tree planting and lighting columns
The Greengate scheme is being led by Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company and funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Northwest Regional Development Agency and will be delivered in partnership with development partners Ask Developments and Network Rail.
John Hughes, Director at Ask Developments said: “The level of co-operation between ourselves, Network Rail, Central Salford URC, HCA and Salford City Council has been excellent. Subject to securing a suitable occupier pre-let we are now in a position to start on site within a relatively short timescale.”
The planning permission has conditions, which refer specifically to the archaeological survey. Oxford Archaeology carried out the survey on the proposed site with observations from the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit and members of Salford City Council’s Design and Heritage Group.
The Greengate site is just one of the wider proposals to regenerate Salford and the surrounding area. It will form an important link between several proposed developments.
To the east and west are plans by Ask Developments, which adjoin the Greengate site and West Properties have plans to the south west of the River Irwell. On the sites eastern boundary is the plan to re-establish the existing Bijou bar so that it opens on to Greengate.
Leader of Salford City Council, John Merry, said: “Greengate will be a dynamic space that will be changing constantly. It will enhance the aesthetic view of the surroundings as well as facilitate the opening of new business ventures in the area. It promotes the use of public space with the local and wider community and enhances people’s connections to the cultural heritage of our city.”
Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, said: “Greengate is an important project which strengthens the connections between Manchester and Salford. What's good for one city is good for the other - economic benefits flow both ways and don't stop at the River Irwell. The creation of new green public space is also welcome."