The first details of a hugely impressive £800m masterplan to completely transform the University of Salford and the surrounding city region have been shared. The plans, designed by architect 5plus, cover the University’s present campus which spans 240-acre, as well as areas around Crescent, Peel Park and Frederic Road North.

We’re delighted to have them both speaking at our conferences in the next few months – firstly University of Salford will give an overview of the masterplan at the North West Universities Development Plans Conference on the 21st March before we hear from Salford City Council at the Greater Manchester Development Plans Conference on the 14th May.

The masterplan highlights huge opportunities for development including:

  • 1m sq ft of education floorspace
  • 6m sq ft of commercial floorspace targeted at the industrial growth sectors
  • 2m sq ft of public green space, landscapes areas and cycleways
  • 2,500 new homes and apartments
  • Hotel and conference facility
  • School
  • Multi-storey car parks to house 2,000+ vehicles

The industrial space will focus on huge growth sectors such as digital, creative, engineering, environment, sport, health and wellbeing in a bid to attract a new audience to the region and boost much needed skilled jobs in the area. It’ll create a vibrant hub in Salford set beside parkland and open spaces – with 1,000 new trees set to be planted.

Six heritage buildings, including the magnificent Peel Building on the campus, would be preserved but possibly used in other ways.

Helen Marshall, Vice Chancellor of the University of Salford, said: “These exciting plans for The Crescent represent the next step of a journey that started with the construction of the first of our university buildings – the Peel Building – in 1896. Working in partnership with the council and 5plus Architects, we have developed this masterplan to ensure that our campus is fit for purpose for the next 20 years, providing a great experience for our students and investing heavily in the future of the City of Salford. The new facilities that are part of the package of redevelopment will enable us to carry out the industry-led teaching and research that is key to our strategic aims of preparing our graduates for the modern world of work and delivering economic growth for Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond.”

Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett added: “The City of Salford has attracted billions of pounds of private sector investment in the last decade and delivered nationally important regeneration projects that have brought new industries, new training and development opportunities and new jobs to the city. The combined assets of the city and the university around The Crescent present a huge opportunity for the continued growth of the city linking education with enterprise and industry and arts, culture, heritage and community.”

Join us at our next conferences to hear about these exciting plans!

The North West Universities Development Plans Conference will also hear from Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University. The Greater Manchester Development Plans Conference will also hear from Manchester City Council, University of Manchester, Watch This Space, Capital & Centric, Highways England and Trilogy Property.