A huge new extension to one of Salford’s most iconic buildings and a JD headquarters fit to rival ‘Facebook, Google, and Nike’ are among the most eye-catching plans submitted across the city-region this week.
A £200m project on Soapworks on Salford Quays could see an additional 500 new homes and a ‘transport hub’ added to the riverside. The tallest block will be up to 33 stories tall if approved, as well as a further two blocks up to 17 and 10 storeys.
Meanwhile, JD are due to start work on a Campus space for 2,000 workers, which will include a large gym and 120-capacity creche.
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Other notable applications include almost 900 homes added to the existing Mayfield Park development in Manchester, and a historic pub being turned into a HMO after a cannabis farm was discovered inside.
Here is a breakdown of each borough’s submitted planning applications this week.
Bolton
There are no new significant planning applications that have been submitted to Bolton Council this week.
Bury
JD Campus in Pilsworth will rival Facebook, Google, and Nike
Sportswear giants JD Group are set to start work on their ‘world leading’ new campus on the outskirts of Bury. Last year, the firm received planning permission to build a headquarters to rival ‘Facebook, Google and Nike’ which includes space for 2,000 workers and a 120-capacity crèche.
The sports and leisure firm described the move as ‘a pinnacle moment in our company’s history’. The firm said it needed to invest millions in its Pilsworth Road campus to create a working environment to ‘attract talent’ to work for them and rival the facilities provided by global brands and tech firms.
The retailer has now published details of the second phase of the project including a hub building with a large gym. JD Group have more than 60,000 employees across 29 countries.
A design and access statement lodged with Bury Council in the past week describes the next part of the work. It said: “Our Bury headquarters is currently operating out of three buildings on the Pilsworth Road site where we employ around 1,300 people, making us one of the largest employers in Bury.
“Refurbishment of the existing office space is already underway to bring the working environment in line with contemporary standards. The proposal seeks to bring together the various elements of the existing campus into one focal point in the centre of the site, whilst responding to the context of the wider campus development and beyond.
Manchester
Hundreds of new flats could be built next to Mayfield Park
Developers launched a public consultation on plans to expand the existing Mayfield Park development by 878 new homes.
These will be a mixture of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. The proposals will expand Mayfield Park by nearly 40 percent, according to developers Landsec U+I.
The additional 2.5 acres will include ground-floor retail and amenities space for shops, cafes, and gyms. The designs by architects shedkm and Studio Egret West, also propose a number of new landscape characters and planting types, such as rock gardens, rain gardens, and podium gardens.
There will also be new informal play areas including water features and stepping stones. A 180-metre-long estate street planted will run along the southern edge of Mayfield parallel to the Mancunian Way.
The public consultation can be accessed online, where people can view the proposals and provide feedback for the next month.
Oldham
There are no new significant planning applications that have been submitted to Oldham Council this week.
Rochdale
Huge new office building planned for Rochdale town centre
A new three-storey office building could be erected in Rochdale, if plans are approved.
The site, off Molesworth Street, is currently a tarmac surface which is used as a car sales forecourt for The Motor Point Company. Now the motoring company wants to use the land for a new office space for their employees.
Planning papers reveal the new space would include conference rooms, office suites, changing facilities, as well as cycle storage.
Salford
New 'riverside community' planned at Salford Soapworks with hundreds of new homes
Plans to build hundreds of new homes and a transport hub at Salford Soapworks have been submitted to the council in a bid to create a new 'riverside community' in the city. Up to 500 homes could be built as part of the development on Colgate Lane next to the River Irwell close to Salford Quays.
Phase one of the plan would convert an existing warehouse building into 78 new affordable homes with 60,000 square feet of office space, and leisure and gym facilities.A new transport hub included in the plans would create a multi-storey car park and space for new businesses and services.
More than 900 parking spaces are included in the design, as well as spaces for electric vehicles, and a basement cycle hub in one of the office developments known as Block D. Phase two of the scheme involves creating a 'new residential community' spread across three riverside blocks, mixed with green space and a new park pavilion for residents.
The tallest block will be up to 33 stories tall if approved, as well as a further two blocks up to 17 and 10 storeys.
Stockport
There are no new significant planning applications that have been submitted to Stockport Council this week.
Tameside
Derelict Sunday school could be transformed into new apartment complex
A dilapidated Sunday school in the centre of Ashton could soon be converted into a new apartment block.
The former Wesleyan Sunday School off Crown Street is currently vacant and in a semi-derelict condition. If plans are approved, the 19th Century building could be transformed into a 20-home apartment block for ‘young professionals’ or ‘elderly people looking to downsize’.
According to the applicant, named as Mr Khalid Essa, the building will comprise 20 ‘high-quality’ one-bed flats and would feature views of Ashton town centre.
Historic pub could soon become 10-bedroom HMO after cannabis farm found inside
A historic town centre pub could soon be transformed into a 10-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO).
The Bulls Head in Stalybridge closed its doors for the last time in June 2022. It had been left vacant but has since become a target by antisocial behaviour and criminal activity, with a cannabis farm built inside.
The police swooped in on the Knowl Street establishment back in May 2023 and seized more than 200 cannabis plants, it was reported.
Trafford
Budget hotel wants to add extra 43 bedrooms at expense of restaurant
Plans have been submitted to demolish a hotel restaurant and replace it with a two-storey annex with an extra 43 bedrooms.
Premier Inn Hotels Ltd will increase the size of the car park at its hotel on Carrington Road in Sale to accommodate 116 vehicles.
A submission on behalf of the budget hotel group has been submitted by Walsingham Planning.
It proposes the demolition of the Mersey Farm Brewers Fayre Restaurant to make for the extension, alongside alterations to the car park, landscaping and a new external compound for machinery.
Walsingham’s covering letter to the Trafford planning portal says: “This extension is part of a wider refurbishment programme undertaken by Premier Inn Hotels Ltd to rationalise and expand the provision on the site.
“This scheme has been designed to provide the most bedspace whilst ensuring minimal impact to highways, landscaping and amenity of neighbouring properties.”
The site is directly adjacent to the Carrington Spur and is close to light industrial units and residential properties to the east and south.
The letter adds: “Premier Inn Hotels has identified a demand for the provision of additional budget hotel accommodation in this location, having regard to the proximity of the site to significant highway infrastructure, the Trafford Centre and the nearby Carrington Business Park.”
Wigan
There are no new significant planning applications that have been submitted to Wigan Council this week.
