Salford City Council has given outline consent for a large housing scheme on land released from the Green Belt, approving proposals by Peel Land to build 282 homes on around 53 acres south of Leigh Road, adjacent to RHS Garden Bridgewater.
Approval follows years of planning and widespread opposition
The decision, taken on Thursday, ends a planning process that began three years ago and attracted substantial public opposition. The council received in excess of 2,500 objections to the most recent application lodged in 2024.
Initial proposals for the site had outlined up to 350 dwellings, but the scheme was revised down before the council approved the outline application. The site was released from Green Belt protection under the Places for Everyone joint spatial plan for Greater Manchester, which allowed the land to be allocated for development.
Change to affordable housing offer
A central issue in the debate was the level and delivery of affordable housing. Peel’s earlier submission proposed 20% affordable homes on site with an additional equivalent secured through a financial contribution. The latest iteration reduces on-site provision to 10%, with 40% effectively provided via a commuted sum.
Under that arrangement, the scheme will deliver 28 on-site affordable homes in Boothstown, with the possibility of a further 113 affordable units being funded elsewhere across the city through the financial contribution.
“It’s been many years in the making and we will now look to work with housebuilder partners and the council to move forward with the Places for Everyone Plan to deliver a high-quality development that also makes a significant contribution towards meeting the City’s affordable housing needs,”
The comment came from a Peel Land spokesperson, who described the development as “truly one-of-a-kind” and signalled intention to engage housebuilding partners and the council to progress the scheme.
Project team and next steps
The application lists a multi-disciplinary project team including Hope Architects, planner Turley, transport consultant TTHC, landscape architect Gillespies, Ironside Farrar as engineer, ecologist TEP, strategic communications adviser Lexington and Brookbanks.
As an outline permission, detailed matters such as design, landscaping, access and the precise layout of affordable units will be determined at later reserved matters stages. Those seeking more information can view the application under reference PA/2024/0749 on Salford City Council’s planning portal.
Local implications and practical information
Residents and community groups opposed to the scheme had raised concerns including loss of Green Belt, increased traffic near Leigh Road and the effect on local services. Supporters argue the development will contribute to housing supply in Salford, aligning with the regional Places for Everyone strategy.
- Site area: approximately 53 acres south of Leigh Road, adjacent to RHS Garden Bridgewater
- Homes approved: 282 (two- to six-bedroom properties)
- Affordable housing: 10% on site (28 homes in Boothstown), with up to 40% secured via financial contribution (potentially 113 homes elsewhere)
- Planning reference: PA/2024/0749
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Development size | ~53 acres |
| Number of homes | 282 |
| On-site affordable homes | 28 |
| Objections received | 2,500+ |
The council’s decision marks a notable moment in Salford’s planning landscape: a Green Belt release being brought forward for housing, with a contested approach to affordable provision. Opponents and local campaigners will be watching the reserved matters process closely, and planning officers will be responsible for assessing future details as the scheme progresses.
