Plans for city's tallest skyscraper to be studied

Plans to build one of the UK's tallest skyscrapers in Salford look set to go ahead in a major development for the city.

The tower could stand 895ft (273m) tall in a £1bn project which could see as many as 3,300 homes being built across 10 buildings at Regent Retail Park.

Conceptual images in the planning documents show the skyscraper being up to 78 storeys high.

If approved, it would become the tallest building in Greater Manchester and the third tallest in the country, behind the Shard and Horizon 22, which are both in London.

The plans include creating commercial and community space along with a new public park and 600 parking spaces.

Salford councillors are due to meet on Thursday to consider the scheme, with officials recommending its approval.

The development would be in the northern half of Salford's Regent Retail Park, near the River Irwell boundary with Manchester city centre.

It would include a significant proportion of affordable housing.

Not everyone is happy with the proposals though, with more than 450 objections lodged with Salford City Council.

Local councillors in Ordsall have led a campaign against the plans, along with Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey.

They shared fears that the work would pile pressure on the existing community, cause new parking issues, and could lead to the loss of local shops.

In a letter to development bosses last year, Long-Bailey said the plans "won't help with the loss of shops, existing employment and parking, and will drastically impact Salford's skyline".

Developers Henley Investment Management said existing businesses at the retail park would be welcomed and stressed that their plans included affordable housing.

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