An ‘eyesore’ plot once home to church could be turned into a social housing estate.
The land off St Boniface Road in Salford was once home to a Roman Catholic Church.Since its demolition in 2014, the site has become a ‘dumping ground’ for fly-tippers.
Now plans by construction firm Westshield and social housing provider ForLiving could see the area near Lower Broughton Road transformed into two new housing blocks with 60 apartments for social rent.
Plans submitted to Salford council show the four to five story buildings arranged around a car park with 51 spaces, garden, and a pond fed by rainwater. These would hold a total of 48 one-bedroom and 12 two-bed apartments.
The scheme envisioned by Eden Building Design features redbrick walls with painted red cement accent cladding, with one of the towers consisting of two smaller blocks that connect on the third and fourth floors.
The development, which is part-funded by grants from Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is aimed at plugging the gap in Salford’s housing supply, as the local authority grapples with a more than 4,000-long waiting list for affordable housing.
In a statement on behalf of ForHousing – a subsidiary of ForLiving – development officer Lewis Knight said: “ForHousing have entered into an agreement with Westshield to acquire the land at St Boniface Road, Salford and develop the site for affordable housing.
“The development will provide 60 apartments for Social Rent which will be capped at the Greater Manchester Local Housing Allowance rate, in line with Salford Councils strategic priority to deliver more social and affordable rented homes in the borough.
“These homes will remain affordable in perpetuity. The properties are grant funded affordable housing units and are developed with the intention of them remaining so for their lifetime. Realistically they are only likely to become privately owned leasehold units in a scenario where a tenant exercises their statutory right to acquire.”
The plot is located just 50m away from the River Irwell, and the Grade-II listed Wallness Bridge. There are three local primary schools within walking distance, two nearby sports and recreation sites, and grocery shops are just a short drive away, according to the developers.
Writing on the historical significance of the site, consultant Gary Miller wrote: “Despite Its relative proximity, there is no immediate visual association between the listed bridge and the site, which simply forms part of its wider, regeneration-led surroundings.”
He added the scheme ‘merits approval without delay’.
The council’s city planners are currently considering the application.
