Salford Council planning committee confirmed outline approval for Henley Investment Management planning application to demolish the northern section of Regent Retail Park and redevelop the site on Thursday 6th November.
This was not the result we were hoping for from the planning meeting as we believe there are significant outstanding concerns with Henley’s plans that have not been addressed.
Save Regent Retail Park Campaign (SRRPC) was established in August 2024 at a public meeting of Ordsall residents concerned with a proposed development of Regent Retail Park. At a recent public meeting organised by SRRPC, residents highlighted significant outstanding concerns with Henley’s plans and why the planning application should not be approved at the meeting including:
• Lack of detail or guarantees for truly affordable social rent housing.
Insufficient parking spaces and an inadequate local parking permit scheme.
• Lack of comprehensive assessments for health services, schools, and transport infrastructure impacts for the wider Ordsall area.
• Loss of local jobs and affordable shops during the construction period in an area with high levels of deprivation.
• The tall towers are out of character for the area and will overshadow low lying residential and historic areas.
• Henley’s lack of engagement with local residents and low trust in their promises.
Resident concerns for Henley’s plans have not gone away so the campaign will not go away. In light of the planning panel decision the campaign will review options with the community and agree next steps to challenge Henley’s current plans which do not meet the needs of local residents for local services.
Local Councillor, Brendan Keville, said, “Since campaigning against Henley’s plans SRRPC has pressured Henley into making significant changes such as committing to affordable social housing, inclusion of health facilities at the site, funding a resident permit parking scheme and retaining some shops in operation until new shops are provided. I don’t believe these changes would of happened without the tireless campaigning of local residents. However, there are outstanding significant concerns the community have with Henley plans. As a community we will work together to identify next steps for the campaign and that Henley listen and respond to resident’s concerns for their plans”
Local MP, Rebecca Long Bailey, said, “Residents will be feeling worried after the planning meeting that they still have not got answers to genuine concerns with Henley’s plans. Henley made a commitment as part of their planning approval to reengage and reconsult with local residents on their plans. Myself and the Ordsall councillors will be supporting local residents in holding Henley to account to this commitment so that residents are genuinely listened to and Henley act on these concerns.”
The SRRPC campaign group will continue campaigning to ensure Henley listen and respond to the concerns of the local community.
—ENDS—
Notes for editors:
Save Regent Retail Park Campaign is a local community group of residents formed to retain an essential local shopping centre which meets the needs of the local community. The campaign group supports a people-focused approach to urban regeneration which listens and responds to the needs of the whole community.
Save Regent Retail Park Campaign community objection report available at
https://saveregentretailpark.wixsite.com/info
Rebecca Long-Bailey 