Update on Urban Design and Master Planning pages by mid September!

Its been a long wait, but we're finally going to get some new information!

Thanks Jo!

Dear John,

I have now spoken to our Project Manager and have been informed that the Urban Design and Master Planning pages on our website should be available by mid September.

Kind Regards

Jo Williams

Marketing Executive

Middlewood Locks
http://www.middlewoodlocks.co.uk/source/p2-s1.jpg

http://www.middlewoodlocks.co.uk/source/p1-s3.jpg

http://www.middlewoodlocks.co.uk/pages/intro2.htm

Finally :) I hope the tower is still in the plans.

Is this u/c ?

because theres something going on ,on this site but i could'nt be arsed to go and look,,some kind of steel framework going up

Highriser - That belongs to the Fusion development. A little dull perhaps, but then the first phase of most developments in untested areas like this tend to be. It's also on the worst possible site, right next to the railway line with no canal frontage and furthest away from town. The views will be excellent though - at least until they are blocked by the rest of the development and I assume it's priced accordingly.

http://www.fusionmanchester.co.uk/

Cheers mate

:? The Irwell's left bank is Salford's soil, the right bank is MCR's. Where does this 'right bank' malarkey originate from if the site is in Salford?

:? The Irwell's left bank is Salford's soil, the right bank is MCR's. Where does this 'right bank' malarkey originate from if the site is in Salford?

It's not left as in looking at a map, but right as seen in travelling down the Irwell in the direction of the water flow, i.e. north-south (more or less).....

Hence the leftbank apartment being called leftbank

Fusion today
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P9060042copy.jpg

Fusion in profile
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P9120035copy.jpg

What a great backdrop for the development, i'm sure the developers are over the moon :laugh:

Here is a masterplan of sorts for Middlewood Locks. Its such a vast area this will have a huge impact on Central Salford and Manchester when complete.

http://www.fusionmanchester.co.uk/images/location/close_up_map.gif

No no no...more horrible red panels!

Firstly, thank you for the information, its very much appreciated!

There will be a mixture of towers and midrises ranging in height from 20-30 storeys and 8-12 storeys!

The planning applications for Middlewood Locks will be submitted to Salford City Council in 3-4 weeks time!

Once again many thanks!

20 to 30 storeys, wow. You are a veritable mine of golden nuggets, jrb.

Went past the site today, and the land on the other side of Middlewood Street from Fusion where the Snow Dome was originally going to go, although its been cleared for ages, it looks like they were starting to get some serious groundwork done, a couple of diggers were on site moving earth around.

Great news jrb. Thanks again :)

Excellent ,the city is really pushing now towards the Quay's

Come to think of it , the city is pushing out in all directions :)

Middlewood Locks will be a gigantic development. Looking forward to viewing the outline planning application.

Good news that progress is now being made on the major piece of infrastructure which will be the catalyst for this whole development - the Manchester, Bury and Bolton canal reinstatement.



Full steam ahead for canal restoration in Salford



http://www.salford.gov.uk/05-1105--t.jpg
Cllr Derek Antrobus, Project manager for British Waterways, Mark Jackson and Chairman of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society, Margaret Fletcher, at the Middlewood site.



Work to build the first and most important section of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal (MB&B) is underway in Salford.

Funding for the £4.2million pound restoration of the first phase at Middlewood has been granted from European Objective Two Funding, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Salford City Council.

The 500 metre stretch will reconnect the waterway with the River Irwell through the £600 million Middlewood Locks commercial development site which will include housing, hotels, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

The 15¼-mile long Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is one of the last major waterways in Greater Manchester to require restoration. Work is due to start on the first phase in October 2005 with Middlewood navigable by the end of 2006.

Work will include the construction of a new canal channel, three locks, two basins and a footbridge. A tunnel was incorporated into the design of the inner ring road to accommodate the future restoration.

Campaigners see this as the first crucial step in the full restoration of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, Greater Manchester's lost canal.

The Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is a key element in the regeneration of the Irwell and Croal Valleys, linked to other initiatives within the wider corridor.

Mark Jackson, Project Manager, British Waterways, said: "It's wonderful to finally be starting on site. This is the culmination of several years' hard work. The canal will form a centrepiece of a huge urban development project demonstrating how the public sector can work in partnership with the private sector to deliver significant economic benefits."

Salford City Council's lead member for planning, Councillor Derek Antrobus, added: "Waterside regeneration is central to Salford's rejuvenation. The Internationally-renowned Salford Quays is the biggest success story to date, but the restored section of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal at Middlewood, and the development that ensues, will undoubtedly become yet another powerful symbol of the new city."

Maurice Gubbins, NWDA Area Manager for Greater Manchester, said: "The NWDA is delighted to support the first phase of the canal's restoration. Reviving the region's waterways not only provide unique recreational resources, but also deliver significant economic benefits, enhancing the environment and quality of life, increasing tourism, and creating areas where people want to live and work. This important project will be a powerful catalyst for further regeneration, improving the area's appeal as an investment location and creating new employment opportunities."

Margaret Fletcher, Chairman of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society, concluded: "When the Middlewood section is complete boats from the national waterway system will be able to cruise on the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal direct from the connected system for the first time for over forty years. After many years of campaigning our aspirations are being realised. We begin to move from dream to reality."


Notes for editors

About the MB&B canal
The 15¼-mile long Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is one of the last major waterways in Greater Manchester to require restoration. There were 17 broad locks, some in short staircases. The canal crosses fine moorland scenery on its upper level between Bolton and Bury and includes some very impressive stone aqueducts, some of which remain.

Subsidence due to coal mining was always a problem and a major breach on the Bury stretch in 1936 washed the canal and two boats into the River Irwell far below.
During WW2 further sections were closed for security reasons, and the whole canal was officially closed in 1961.

Economic studies have predicted that full restoration will:
Create more than 6,000 jobs
Act as a catalyst for a further £180 million of private investment
Bring 40 hectares of land back into use
Provide 150,000m2 of development space and 1,300 new homes

About the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society
The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society was founded in 1987. Its aims are the restoration, reconstruction, preservation, maintenance and improvement of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, for everyone to enjoy.

The society became a limited company and charity in 1995, and more recently has been working with their partners British Waterways and the three local authorities of Bolton MBC, Bury MBC and Salford City Council to realise their aims. See www.mbbcs.org.uk for more information about the society.

About British Waterways
British Waterways cares for a 2,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers throughout Britain, working to provide a sustainable future for the inland waterways and generate maximum benefit and enjoyment to all from this unique environmental and leisure resource.

The organisation works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to unlock the potential of the inland waterways and generate income for reinvestment in the waterways for the benefit of the millions who visit and care for the waterways every year. See www.britishwaterways.co.uk or contact Helen Hall at British Waterways, tel 01925 847888 or 077177 60284 (e-mail helen.hall@britishwaterways.co.uk).

Artist impressions and computer-generated images of the Middlewood section, plus archive images, of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal are available by e-mail upon request.

apparently there's some models of fusion in sainsburys. I think they're is some general info on the development also.

Nice one Sleepyone.

Can anyone please tell me what these towers are surrounding the site?!?!?!?!?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/mezmail/middlewood031.jpg

round towers, nice. are these the towers jrb was talking about before?

Firstly, thank you for the information, its very much appreciated!

There will be a mixture of towers and midrises ranging in height from 20-30 storeys and 8-12 storeys!

The planning applications for Middlewood Locks will be submitted to Salford City Council in 3-4 weeks time!

Once again many thanks!

Where´s that from MeZ?

Where did that image come from Mez?

There will, I assume, be some tall buildings proposed as part of the outline application. The image you've posted there is the Middlewood Locks site. Intersting stuff.

Its from here (http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news25.htm)

Good read actually.

Nice one Sleepyone.

Can anyone please tell me what these towers are surrounding the site?!?!?!?!?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/mezmail/middlewood031.jpg

Firstly, thank you for the information, its very much appreciated!

There will be a mixture of towers and midrises ranging in height from 20-30 storeys and 8-12 storeys!

The planning applications for Middlewood Locks will be submitted to Salford City Council in 3-4 weeks time!

Once again many thanks!


A few scoops later, a Khandoker (Esa Palong) and this turns up! :)

Looks just about right! Three towers and numerous midrises! Exactly how it was described! Good find Mez! :)

All will be revealed soon, when the detailed planning appilication is submitted!(3-4 weeks)

Khandoker - best takeaway curry in the Didsbury/Withers area.

Three towers nice and nice interesting shapes on a nice interesting watery site. Thanks mez, jrb.

Hang on a minute. I see another shadow where it says Lock 3.

Four towers!

Khandoker - best takeaway curry in the Didsbury/Withers area.

Probably Manchester! :)

Try the Esa Palong dgnr8! You won't be dissapointed!

Back to the topic!

Four towers!

Think your right, you can just see the top of it aswell behind the tallest tower so the 'hidden' tower is almost as big!

Very nice.

Probably Manchester! :)

Try the Esa Palong dgnr8! You won't be dissapointed!

Back to the topic!


Kabana, Tibb Street. Make the best stuff. Tis only a take away mind.....but authentic, Pakistani/North Indian/Punjabi food.

Back to the topic.

Great aerial shot of the Middlewood Locks site!

How lonely is Beetham! The pictures really shows gap between her and the rest of the city centre!

Decrease size to 100% for a better, smaller image!

http://www.itsyourmove.info/Portals/0/manchester/pdfs/Issue%2086.pdf

What goes where, if at all?

Trying to work it out? Flip the rendering around!

The tower on the right hand side of the rendering will stand on the left hand side of the site where the tracks meet, and where the industrial units are.

The tower on the bottom left hand side of the rendering will be next to the top right hand side of the railway viaducts.

The tower on the top left hand side of the rendering will be near the letter N.(Fusion)

I think?!

At least this gives us a rough idea of what Middlewood Locks may look like and how it fits in with the City Centre!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/middlewood031567.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/screencopy1123.jpg

Thanks jrb. I had no idea there was such a big beautiful open site like that within spitting distance of the city centre.

It looks a very exciting project, congrats Manchester. I am jealous

Looks very promising,very exciting project in the making :)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/mezmail/middlewood031.jpg[/QUOTE]

There's an article on Manchester Online about Middlewood if anyone fancies a look:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/179/179844_hidden_canal_brought_back_to_life.html

Work begins! :) (as we know!)

Hidden canal brought back to life

REVAMP: How the canal looked in its heydayA HIDDEN canal is being restored at a cost of £4.2m to become the centrepiece of a huge urban village in Salford.

The 500-metre stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal has been empty and buried for decades.

But the work, which started last week, will reconnect the waterway with the River Irwell through the £600m Middlewood Locks site off Oldfield Road.

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/820.$plit/C_17_Articles_179844_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

It will include housing, hotels, restaurants, bars, and offices.

The 15-mile canal is one of the last major waterways in Greater Manchester to need restoration.

Middlewood will be navigable by the end of 2006.

The work will include creating a canal channel, three locks, two basins, and a footbridge.

The canal is a key element in the regeneration of the Irwell and Croal Valleys.

Margaret Fletcher, chairman of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society, said: "When the Middlewood section is complete, boats from the national waterway system will be able to cruise on the canal direct from the connected system for the first time in more than 40 years.

Out of date?!
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/288.$plit/C_17_Articles_179844_BodyWeb_Detail_1_Image.jpg

VISION: An impression of the completed development"After many years of campaigning our aspirations are being realised.

"We begin to move from dream to reality."

Mark Jackson, project manager, for British Waterways, said: "It is wonderful to be starting on the site.

"The project will demonstrate how the public sector can work in partnership with the private sector to deliver significant economic benefits."

Salford City Council's planning spokesman, Coun Derek Antrobus, said: "Waterside regeneration is central to Salford's rejuvenation.

"The internationally renowned Salford Quays is the biggest success story to date, but the restored section of the canal at Middlewood and the development that ensues, will become yet another powerful symbol of the new city."

Cash for the work has come from the North West Development Agency, Europe and the city council.

Maurice Gubbins, NWDA area manager, said: "Reviving the region's waterways not only provides recreational resources, but delivers significant economic benefits, enhancing the environment and quality of life, increasing tourism, and creating areas where people want to live and work.

"This important project will be a powerful catalyst for further regeneration."

This weeks Salford road bulletin!

Also in this weeks planning applications!

5. East Ordsall Lane, Middlewood Street, Salford

A temporary prohibition of driving will be in operation on East Ordsall Lane, Salford from its junction with the Middlewood Street – Hampson Street roundabout for a distance of 100 metres in an easterly direction and on Middlewood Street from its junction with Oldfield Road to Hampson Street roundabout. The order is required to enable the reconstruction of the highway of Middlewood Street and a section of East Ordsall Lane as part of the Middlewood Locks redevelopment scheme and will be in operation from Monday 6 June 2005 for a period of 18 months. Traffic will be diverted via Oldfield Road – Chapel Street – Trinity Way – Hampson Street.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planninglist.htm

Those roadworks/diversions have been in place for ages now, I used to cut thriugh that way sometimes to go to work, now it just causes huge traffic jams at the busiest times of day. :bash:

Oh yes, the roadworks on Oldfield Road/Middlewood messed up my rat run royally. 602, up Windsor, down Liverpool, over Oldfield into town, was great, avoiding Regent Rd and Water St like the plague. Still, it's worth it to see all the redevelopment going on.

Fusion taking shape on the Middlewood Locks site.

prob wont looklike this now, but hey!

http://www.archsearch.co.uk/shared/showLarge.html?id=11915&mime=image/jpg

Can anyone help?

Think I've finally met my match! :)

Valley and Vale Properties. :bash:

Been on their trail for weeks!

They are no longer at their website address.http://middlewoodlocks.co.uk/pages/cont1.htm Their website phone number belongs to a printer under their old offices in Ordsall.(Been and checked it out) Their phone number is not listed either. (BT or Yell) They are registered at companies House.(see below) Their most recent Middlewood Locks planning application to Salford City Council was submitted on their behalf by Osborne Clarke. http://www.osborneclarke.com/services/Real+Estate/planning/planning.asp


VALLEY AND VALE PROPERTIES LIMITED
45-51 CHORLEY NEW ROAD
BOLTON
LANCS.
BL1 4QR
Company No. 01823611

Apparently their new offices are now located next to the Founders mansion?

Bolton it is then.

Ps. Any tips on avoiding Doberman dogs? :runaway:

Chorley New road starts about half a mile out of the town centre - my school was on it! Take a 573, 575 or 617 from Bolton town centre and it'll take no more than 10 mins. Good Luck!

Can anyone help?

Think I've finally met my match! :)

Valley and Vale Properties. :bash:

Been on their trail for weeks!

They are no longer at their website address.http://middlewoodlocks.co.uk/pages/cont1.htm Their website phone number belongs to a printer under their old offices in Ordsall.(Been and checked it out) Their phone number is not listed either. (BT or Yell) They are registered at companies House.(see below) Their most recent Middlewood Locks planning application to Salford City Council was submitted on their behalf by Osborne Clarke. http://www.osborneclarke.com/services/Real+Estate/planning/planning.asp


VALLEY AND VALE PROPERTIES LIMITED
45-51 CHORLEY NEW ROAD
BOLTON
LANCS.
BL1 4QR
Company No. 01823611

Apparently their new offices are now located next to the Founders mansion?

Bolton it is then.

Ps. Any tips on avoiding Doberman dogs? :runaway:

Went to thier registered offices today. Guess what? Not there either!

Many thanks to Martin at http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/
for the information.

interesting.

There were a whole series of "fly-through" images of the site shown. That was the only one that I managed to get a copy of.

The image on my website
was presented at a press day launching the development to the media.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood03.jpg

I know nothing of Valley and Vale Properties. The image on my website
was presented at a press day launching the development to the media. I
am not sure what the source of it was - it may have been British
Waterways or Salford Council. There were a whole series of "fly-through"
images of the site shown. That was the only one that I managed to get a
copy of. I added the captions myself. I do not recall whether any of the
other views showed whether there were three of four towers proposed.

thanks for the info jrb

At last, some more progress.

Still no news from Valley and Vale Properties. http://middlewoodlocks.co.uk/pages/intro1.htm

I wonder......?

Reference: 06/52343/FUL
Decision Level: DEL
Applicant name: British Waterways
Ward: Winton
Grid Reference: 375709 398122
Case Officer: Miss Sam Key
Telephone: 0161 779 4836
Location: Line Of The Manchester, Bury And Bolton Canal Between The River Irwell And Oldfield Road Salford 5
Proposal: Restoration of Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canel, excavate/restore canal, construction of new channel/basins, restore existing lock, create new lock, create towpath and construct bridge over restored canal at East Ordsall Lane (Amendment to previous approval 04/48258/FUL)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/slllllllllll.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/marfg.jpg

Full details below.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planninglist.htm

sorry i didnt reply 2 your pm jrb..I had nothing to report though.

Can this canal link reach - through to Liverpools South Docks via the Leeds - Liverpool Canal?

Can this canal link reach - through to Liverpools South Docks via the Leeds - Liverpool Canal?
Try the British Waterways site, they have maps and everything. I'm sure most of the main canals all link up to each other.

At last!

I can't believe it! Valley and Vale have finally submitted plans for Middlewood Locks! Years of waiting, checking their site everyday, asking questions, and getting few, if any answers, ringing around, driving around, trying to track them down without any success what so ever, and finally their about to unveil their plans. They beat me, I'm not ashamed to admit it, I couldn't crack the b*******! Will all the effort be worth it? Will the development live up to it's promise, or will I feel robbed and cheated of my time and effort? Only time and the details of the planning application will tell.

Date Application Received: 15/05/2006

Target Date: 09/07/2006

Applicant's Name: Vale And Valley Properties Limited

Agent's Name: Charles Green Regeneration Limited

Application Reference: 06/52762/OUT

Address of Proposal: Land To North Of Middlewood Street And East Of Oldfield Road, Salford (Middlewood Locks)

Proposal: Outline application (access only) for mixed use development comprising 142,697 sq.m residential use (Class C1 and C3); 677,773 sq.m commercial use (Class B1); and 27,191 sq.m leisure/retail use (Class A1,A2,A3,A4 and D2) together with associated uses, carparking, landscaping and infrastructure

The only rendering we have was taken from www.Penninewaterways.co.uk
(if correct?) The information below was emailed to me by Martin who runs the site.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood03.jpg

I know nothing of Valley and Vale Properties. The image on my website
was presented at a press day launching the development to the media.
I am not sure what the source of it was - it may have been British
Waterways or Salford Council. There were a whole series of "fly-through"
images of the site shown. That was the only one that I managed to get a
copy of. I added the captions myself. I do not recall whether any of the
other views showed whether there were three of four towers proposed.
The Middlewood Locks site.(hasn't changed in years)

http://middlewoodlocks.co.uk/pages/intro1.htm

I'm tired, good night. :)

Thanks for all your efforts jerb let's hope it's worth all your trouble[borderline stalking by the sounds of it:)]
I think the development at ML is important for Chapel St too in the long run.

Yeah Thanks for your time and effort on this one JRB - 677,773 sq metre of commercial space - that is absolutely enormous (almost 3 times sthe size of spinningfields) !

I'm afraid that commercial space figure doesn't sound right - probably an extra digit in there by mistake. Generally speaking a description of a scheme will list the types of use in order of their relative proportion of the overall scheme.

I see Charles Green is the agent for this - ex deputy chief exec of SCC

I reckon its good that that commercial figure is probably wrong, because the only way that much space would be viable on that site would be for a huge retail park. And we don't want that do we.

there are a few rather tall buildings there though, that could explain it?

Nah. Why would someone want to put a shop on floor 20 or 30? Those tall building will be offices, hotels, or more likely residential so the space they take up would not be described as commercial.

ok, my fault I misread the posts above.

Come to think of it a shop on floor 30 would be pretty cool. :)

Once again, sorry for the delay in posting the Media City stuff. I will do it tomorrow morning before I go to work.

In the meantime this should keep some of you going. :)(Cough! Including
Mr Longford :rant:)

Middlewood Locks. It's tall! :)

Reference: 06/52762/OUT
Decision Level: COMM
Applicant name: Vale And Valley Properties Limited
Ward: Ordsall
Grid Reference: 375709 398122
Case Officer: Sylvia Bland
Telephone: 0161 779 4832
Location: Land To North Of Middlewood Street And East Of Oldfield Road, Salford (Middlewood Locks)
Proposal: Outline application (access only) for mixed use development comprising 142,697 sq.m residential use (Class C1 and C3); 677,773 sq.m commercial use (Class B1); and 27,191 sq.m leisure/retail use (Class A1,A2,A3,A4 and D2) together with associated uses, carparking, landscaping and infrastructure

Link at the bottom of the page to the planning archive for more information on the proposal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/qopi.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/qud3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/qod.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/gggggg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/npoyup.jpg

33 storey tower*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/kpuyp.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/lopeteu.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/qrtey.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv.jpg

http://www.salford.gov.uk/planninglist-archive?id=64585

Excellent - should add some much needed density to that area! :)

good stuff thanks jerb

Excellent - should add some much needed density to that area! :)

Add Media City, Middlewood Locks, and Pomona (once it gets developed, can't be far off) to Manchester City Centre and we've/you've got something very amazing. :)

33 storey office building. What, 130-140m?

Without a doubt mate, I like the sound of the 33 storey tower at Plot E, I hope they go for that and not the bigger floor plate 16 storey jobby..as usual jerb all your hard work is much appreciated.Thanks

a 25 storey and 33 storey, brilliant!

Really are flooded at the moment, when will it stop!!!? :lol:

Thanks again jrb :)

Great stuff!! If its done right this will be a special area to be in, thanks for the info jrb.

I count 17 buildings in total[someone check I may be wrong...Stella]

Three at 7
Two at 8
One at 9
Two at 10
One at 12
Four at 13
One at 18
Two at 25
One at 33

YIPEEEE!!

Looks about right Roly, and its consistent with the render thats been knocking about for awhile now showing amongst others 4 towers on.

I've never commented on Middlewood Locks, and it's because I go into a bit of a sulk when I read anything about it. I decided a long time ago that this was the perfect location for our new big fuck off inner city park, with even higher density housing around it. Like our own Tiergarten, Bois de Boulogne, Regents Park, wherever. There isn't much long term vision involved in building apartments, offices and 'mixed-use schemes, including leisure and retail' EVERYWHERE!!

It's otherwise a cool development, and thanks jrb, as ever ;)

Right, I'll go back to skulking in the corner now.......continue :)

Good idea, a park at Middlewood, not gonna happen though now. They should knock down that hideous retail park on Ancoats St and make it nice and green, trees and everything. But they say theres no money in parks/green spaces? Jongy?

Good idea, a park at Middlewood, not gonna happen though now. They should knock down that hideous retail park on Ancoats St and make it nice and green, trees and everything. But they say theres no money in parks/green spaces? Jongy?

I love that sainsburys.........Nah, it does need to go :yes: . I've previosuly envisaged a park here, it'd be marvelous. The views you get from Oldfield Road are phenominal in any case. I think it'd be marvelous to see said views from wonderous park land.

This plan, is so bog standard. I think i'll move to holland.

Good idea, a park at Middlewood, not gonna happen though now. They should knock down that hideous retail park on Ancoats St and make it nice and green, trees and everything. But they say theres no money in parks/green spaces? Jongy?

It's all about money roly. Every bit of land is owned by somebody and every bit of land has the potential now to make shitloads of money for whoever owns it, especially in the centre of town.

25 years ago, ownership of old industrial premises and land around Oldfield St was a huge liability. In fact ownership of anything in the cities of Manchester and Salford was financially ruinous because of zero demand, excessive local council rates and total economic decline. Most of the industrial and trade premises were bust and the land they sat on was completely worthless and often contaminated (especially in East Manchester.).

Manchester City Council and Salford City Council can't afford to provide parks and green areas for the simple reason that it would cost them too much to buy the land for a kick off, and there's also the problem that they'd lose £millions of potential business rates and residential council tax.

Girlfreinds can any of you point this development out on a map for me? Finding it hard to distinguish its location... Mucho' gracias!

The girlfreinds comment aside, have a look on post #22 on the Official Manchester thread, above Modus and to the left of the old Hardman Square render.

can any of you point this development out on a map for me? Finding it hard to distinguish its location... Mucho' gracias!

well, the buildings in the bottom right here are in and around the granada complex.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.jpg

jrb, you are a star.

Found this tonight.

Has anyone seen these renders before? First time I've seen them.

Looks like an updated version of the first render which was on the original website.

Yep! Their new. Just found the second and third render. :)

Original version.

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/288.$plit/C_17_Articles_179844_BodyWeb_Detail_1_Image.jpg

Seems to tie in with the recently submitted planning application.

http://www.infinite3d.co.uk/images/portfoli/su-middlewood.jpg

http://www.infinite3d.co.uk/images/large/mwood.jpg

Third new render. Penninewaterways wasn't that far off then.(below)

Check the render against the Planning application. It's spot on. :)

http://www.infinite3d.co.uk/images/portfoli/sg-middlewood.jpg

The other render we have.(Penninewaterways)

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood03.jpg

http://www.infinite3d.co.uk/portfoli/urban/urban2.htm

http://www.environmentalassociates.net/profile/profile.html

Also. http://www.middlewoodlocks.com/ has just been registered. The old website no longer exists.

excellent work jerb..that looks quite exciting, especially that curved/oval shaped tower..bring it on

Ah! Excellent!

Anyone else think the towers look far taller in the bottom picture than the one above it?

Why the distinct lack of good architecture? :dunno:

Why the distinct lack of good architecture? :dunno:

Kids it's only a render. Apparently the architects are currently working on the first tower/phase of the developemnt.

Paddington Basin II

Great find jerbster :)

OMG! No1 Piccadilly has been transported to the Middlewoods Locks site.
Arrgh!

http://www.infinite3d.co.uk/images/portfoli/su-middlewood.jpg

Lets give it a chance, like you said above they're only renders, it may not turn out to look so meh! I'm excited about that curvy tower, shame its not all glass though but we shall see, lets face it, it looks a hell of a lot better than what is there at present.

Slight body swerve- I wonder what will happen to the industrial looking units on the corner of Water St and Regents Rd close to the railway bridge there? How long will they have left now the centre is pushing out along there? Has there been anything mooted for this corner?

Do you mean where SAAB are?

yes but towards Regents Rd, those horrible units that are set back slightly on that corner

I hate it. I wish it was a park having said that though, a park here would be full of scallies. I hate Salford.

I hate it. I wish it was a park having said that though, a park here would be full of scallies. I hate Salford.
If you hate Salford, you hate life itself....

I think I read that somewhere....no honestly I did....

Nah, i think it was 'if you hate Salford, you generally want to kill people'

In theory Middlewood Locks is probably the biggest development planned in Gtr Manchester. 4 towers, 9 blocks. Larger than Spinningfileds, Greengate, etc, etc.

In theory Middlewood Locks is probably the biggest development planned in Gtr Manchester. 4 towers, 9 blocks. Larger than Spinningfileds, Greengate, etc, etc.

Spinningfields = 4.5m sqft > Middlewood Locks = 2.6m sqft.

Thanks for the renders.

Nah, i think it was 'if you hate Salford, you generally want to kill people'
Yeah, that's the one I hear a lot. ;)

If anybody is struggling to grasp where Middlewood Locks is, or wondering about the scale, you can get a fantactsic view of the site from the new Spinningfields Car Park. Whilst the views form the 20th floor are poor and obstructed due to the design, the one view that it affords is great!

As well as Middlewood Locks, you can see Old trafford and the Imperial War Museum and the Quays, The looking just beyond the Quays you can see the Trafford Centre Dome. Well worth the ride in the fast lift!

Spinningfields = 4.5m sqft > Middlewood Locks = 2.6m sqft.

Thanks for the renders.

Sorry Caw, but, well... erm.. bollocks!

Middlewood Locks = 3.2 million sq ft

Spinningfields = 4.1 million sq ft

You weren't even close.

Sorry Caw, but, well... erm.. bollocks!

Middlewood Locks = 3.2 million sq ft

Spinningfields = 4.1 million sq ft

You weren't even close.

I was going by the submitted masterplan.

142,697sqm residential use
67,773sqm commercial use
27,191sqm leisure/retail use
=237,661sqm
= 2,558,161sqft.

Oops, maybe you shouldn't be such an arse.

I was going by the submitted masterplan.

142,697sqm residential use
67,773sqm commercial use
27,191sqm leisure/retail use
=237,661sqm
= 2,558,161sqft.

Oops, maybe you shouldn't be such an arse.

Yes CAW, but the submitted plan doesn't include the public realm. Why some people overlook these things I'll never know. The 3.2 million sq ft for Middlewood Locks has always included the public realm space, and quite rightly too. Some people seem to treat public realm as though it's space in another dimension that no mere mortal can ever walk into. Strange thing is, without it you wouldn't be able to get to your residential, commercial or retail space.

As for the "arse" comment, I find that insulting and yet another display of your immaturity.

Yes CAW, but the submitted plan doesn't include the public realm. Why some people overlook these things I'll never know. The 3.2 million sq ft for Middlewood Locks has always included the public realm space, and quite rightly too. Some people seem to treat public realm as though it's space in another dimension that no mere mortal can ever walk into. Strange thing is, without it you wouldn't be able to get to your residential, commercial or retail space.

As for the "arse" comment, I find that insulting and yet another display of your immaturity.

If you had read the thread you would have seen where the figure comes from and refrained from digging up a post I made 3 months ago and wording your post in a sniping, abrasive manner.

I don't think you are one to lecture on maturity either, given your track record and the damage you did to these forums.

Had a look round this lunchtime.

the site is:

a. enormous
b. a good walk from the Central Business District of either Manchester or Salford.
c. almost inaccessible behind main roads and railway viaducts

Even with the asset of a restored canal, I cannot see development of any sort finding a buyer or tenant in the near future, unless the market expands radically.

In particular, it cannot in any honesty be described as Manchester's Right Bank, as it is separated from the Irwell by a car park, the inner ring-road, and the main line from Victoria to Liverpool.

At last some new news. :)

Not the Middlewoods Lock site, but a parcel of land adjacent to it.
This is 'another' addition to the overall scheme by a different developer. Apparently the Middlewood Locks application is 'still' pending. (I think a phone call is due)

Reference: 06/54000/OUT
Decision Level: COMM
Applicant name: Castlefield Properties Limited
Ward: Ordsall
Grid Reference: 375254 398256
Case Officer: Sylvia Bland
Telephone: 0161 779 4832
Location: Land At Middlewood Basin Off East Ordsall Lane Salford 5
Proposal: Outline planning application (layout and access only) for mixed use development to include residential (23,217 sq.m) (Class C3) and commercial uses (17,154 sq.m) (Class B1)

http://www.jenkins-design.co.uk/

Planning application links below diagrams.

The parcel of land in question is just to the right of the Middlewood Locks site.

un-shaded.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/adf.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/a12-2.jpg

Highlighted 3 blocks next to the canal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/nm.jpg

Proposal. Couldn't find a better diagram/render. PDF was playing up again.(arrgh!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/1d.jpg

Middlewood Basin.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/planninglist-archive?id=79260

Middlewood Locks application number 52762 if anyone's interested?

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planninglist/planninglist-search.htm

Thanks jrb

That application is a little light on detail of the buildings themselves. But otherwise wow, a 180,000 sq ft office building over 18 floors.

This is a bold and ambitious (or should that be foolhardy and reckless) application for such a peripheral area and should be welcomed with open arms. Together with Middlewood Locks (assuming everything is developed as per plans) this could become a really quite significant business centre, our own midtown between the Quays and the CBD.

But to ensure this area thrives we really do need to address the physical and psychological barrier created by the railway viaduct and inner relief road. I recall in the distant (pre BBC, pre Middlewood Locks) past, plans for a media village in this area. The idea was that warehouses on the Man Central trading estate would be transformed into TV studios to be used by independent production companies who would base themselves in the arches underneath the viaduct. Obviously things have moved on somewhat since this idea was on the table, but the idea of bringing independent companies to the viaduct, keeping one or two for pedestrian access al a Deva Centre could really help counter the feeling of isolation in the area, making the locks and this new scheme more attractive the big corporate occupiers at which they are aimed.

I think something like this...

http://i13.tinypic.com/2ebz78x.jpg

would be alot better, effectively linking the south sides of the city centre/cbd with the other central areas of salford, crescent, uni, pendleton etc. What they're proposing looks like something they'd bang on about in birmingham, its got an insular design that wouldn't do much to the urban fabric of the area, providing nice images for their brochures..it'd just 'sit' there, in the way, whilst we still have to go round. :ohno:

Straight through the Marriot Hotel.

I like it.

I considered destroying the granada complex too.

It's a bit of a tenuous link, but the MaNchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society's website's got a report from British Waterways' project manager on the reinstatement of the canal. And some nice images of the site stuffed with massive towers and confused looking blokes in suits.

http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/

thought id post this anywayz......bordem etc..



British Waterways Report

http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/

Middlewood Progress
Mark Jackson - Project Manager

The past few months have seen the conclusion and issuing of tender documents to a list of civil engineering contractors that has been selected using British Waterways procurement procedures. The completion of the tender documentation has been a significant milestone in the delivery of this project. Originally the project was to be undertaken through a phased construction process, but because this would be unable to provide financial outturn certainty, an option of combining all the phases into one contract was decided upon. The only exception to this is the advance earthworks contract which was tendered before the decision on altering the tendering process was taken. This contract is ready to go, but has been awaiting the conclusion of the land agreements between Salford and Granada. Heads of terms between the parties have been agreed and Granada has recofnised the importance of completing the land agreement with British Waterways to avoid funding streams to be withdrawn.

To ensure the programme does not slip further British Waterways is in negotiation with Salford CC to increase our 'at risk from clawback' funding threshold and allow us to award the earthworks contract. This is currently being considered by Salford, although a decision is unlikely to be made before 9th January 2007 when all parties are due to meet and agree final land exchange plans. It is recognised that this land agreement saga is beginning to impact upon the delivery programme, but unfortunately British Waterways has been caught up in the middle of a commercial organisation's exploitation of a financial opportunity. Whilst this is nothing new, it illustrates the complexities that have arisen since this project was formally conceived.

Delivery of the project by December 2007 still remains out objective and despite all the difficulties and hurdles that we have faced we stilll remain committed to this goal. Valley and Vale continue to work with us and have taken on board our concerns in respect of the public realm when making the latest planning application. It is also hoped that works will commence shortly on the delivery of East Ordsall Lane Bridge which is being undertaken by Valley and Vale as part of the highway works for their development.

One of the areas that positive feedback has been received relates to the abstraction and discharge processes implemented by the Environment Agency. Current timescales for receiving approval to abstract water from the River Irwell was 5 months, however, investigation of the MB&BC Act has revealed that British Waterways is exempt from this process as we remain the navigation authority for the canal. This still does not remove the need to re-circulate water from Lock 1 around the system. However, the pumping system that we have developed will seek to offer the opportunity for pumping direct from the River Irwell should we obtain consent from the Manchester Ship Canal Company. The system is more complex than originally perceived, but this has been necessary to avoid having to retro-fit a system at significant exepense.

The past few months have flown by with concentrated effort being given to getting tender documents out and attempting to conclude the land deal arrangements. These works have been heavily resourced to meet deadlines which our funders expect us to meet. I am optimistic, despite the ongoing upheaval within British Waterways that we can still deliver this project to meet these deadlines. I hope that this New Year brings the completed first phase of the MB&BC.


http://home.btconnect.com/marineworld.mag/MBBCS/media/images/middlewood-locks-massing-wi.jpg

http://home.btconnect.com/marineworld.mag/MBBCS/media/images/middlewood-locks-massing.jpg

http://home.btconnect.com/marineworld.mag/MBBCS/media/images/vv-building-designs.jpg

Had a look round this lunchtime.

the site is:

a. enormous
b. a good walk from the Central Business District of either Manchester or Salford.
c. almost inaccessible behind main roads and railway viaducts

Even with the asset of a restored canal, I cannot see development of any sort finding a buyer or tenant in the near future, unless the market expands radically.

In particular, it cannot in any honesty be described as Manchester's Right Bank, as it is separated from the Irwell by a car park, the inner ring-road, and the main line from Victoria to Liverpool.

i guess the plan is to use the development of this site as a catalyst for the land linking it to the city centre and the quays...

Absolutely nothing. A big fat zero. :cry:

It's time to give BSC's crown to Valley & Vale properties.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3991-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3992-1.jpg

They've done a lot of work on the road junctions here though so it's possible they've been waiting for this to be finished before comencing?

I've got to say, the skyline shots seem pretty good from around there!

There is an amazing photo to be had of Town from up there, close to the junction of Oldfield Rd and Hampson St looking back over the City, now Spinningfields is finished it looks ace.

That`s a lot of canal clearing that`s been done over the past 12 months - and a new trench beyond the foreground lock walls. I was working on that same spot last summer and it was just wasteground.

Roll on the ManCentral complex coming down too. It won`t be missed.

Oops, maybe you shouldn't be such an arse.

:lol: Gets me everytime that.

http://www.wcc2007.co.uk/downloads.htm

http://www.wcc2007.co.uk/pdfs/13th/04%20-%20The%20Partnership%20Approach%20-%20Martin%20Clarke%20130607A.pdf

Diggers habe been onsite 4 the past weeks - this pdf seems to show whats been happening - though the renders r outdated now

Showing some older work ...baby beetham rising in background

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbb112b.jpg

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbbc41.htm

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbb121.jpg

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/tonym001.jpg

To quote Senor Nerd.

"a. enormous (the site that is)
b. a good walk from the Central Business District of either Manchester or Salford.
c. almost inaccessible behind main roads and railway viaducts

Even with the asset of a restored canal, I cannot see development of any sort finding a buyer or tenant in the near future, unless the market expands radically.

My gripe is not that it should be build but that it aint very eco friendly. Its hideously separated from public transport and there is zero public amentities locally. All journeys in and out will be by car and the mix of properties suggests it will become semi empty investment opportunities, the rest rented out. The locals (irrespective of your opinion about the sub scouse behaviours of certain Salfordians) will be priced out.

However it is an area begging to be developed. Really necessary to connect the city centre with Salford Quays. But I am ashamed to say that our councils dont seem to be able to take control of the eco impact and get the developers to design something less anti social. And then they wonder why the people act anti social as well.

But you get the feeling, that many on the city councils are so wasted by their experiences of eighties recession, that any development will do.

Well, I've been watching this one with interest for nearly 10 years now as I pass it every day on the way to work. I remember it before there was anything there, a scary piece of Salford badlands. Then there was Snoworld (RIP), then there wasn't. But with the potential canal regeneration, residential was the obvious alternative, and the site does have some potential.

Nerd is of course right about the disconnection from the centre by virtue of the rail and road infrastructure. What it really needs is a good pedestrian link to take it under the viaduct and across or over the Inner Relief Road. But the site is really quite close to the city, and it still has pretty good potential. The Wimpey development just over the road seems to have reasonable occupancy, and that has none of the advantages of the future canal basin.

I personally think that the revised plan is far too dense to work - it is a peripheral site which is off most people's radar. They are looking at something like a St George's Island development, and I can't see that there is sufficient demand in the current market. Ah well, we'll see.

By the way, the scrap yard on the edge of the site is increasingly reminding me of the M62 Farmhouse...

It's only 5 min walk from Spinningfields. Not far at all. Not to mention right next door to Sainsburys, boots etc in the regent road retail park.

It is disconected being surrounded on 2 sides by train lines, a ring road and industrial estate.

However that said the road junctions and access is being improved greatly. The site is also virtually next door to chapel street.

Theres been a little bit of activity of late at the bottom corner of the site near to the (Railway?) bridge close to Granada, did'nt get a great look today but there was either piler or some sort of contraption taking soil samples and a small crane. Seeing as we've not really heard anything I not getting exited at all but at least theres some kind of activity.

It’s the contractors working on the actual canal rebuilding, been at it for a few months now. Ill get round to posting a pic at some point, although their work really isn’t much of a visual treat; looks like its going to take a long time, they have barely moved since starting. To be fair there is a hell of a lot of work to be done, most of the canal wall is crumbled, the locks are gone/smashed up and further in the Salford direction the tunnel under the railway is utterly covered up with a huge mound. Will be brilliant to have the canal fixed up and back in use, even if nothing happens around there construction wise for some time yet.

Anyone who has never gone for a look at the view from that side of town really should make a little trip, just looks stunning from there, and its actually not that far to walk from Liverpool Rd or Spinningfields.

Take a look from Water St - infront of Granada / The V&A - work has begun on what looks like the canal joining the Irwell. JCBs at work, and the Irwell bank is being removed. Began last week.

Take a look from Water St - infront of Granada / The V&A - work has begun on what looks like the canal joining the Irwell. JCBs at work, and the Irwell bank is being removed. Began last week.

Thats the area I was refering to, wondered what they were up to.

Ahh, so that is what I went past today! I had a feeling it was Middlewood Locks but couldnt be sure. There was no renders, just signs saying Birse Civil's. Lots of activity on site. About a dozen JCB's and larger excavators, and at least 2 piling rigs, all hard at work.

Can anyone please tell me why they were piling today onsite? If they're building/refurbing the canal why pile holes? Sorry for being..... :doh:

Can anyone please tell me why they were piling today onsite? If they're building/refurbing the canal why pile holes? Sorry for being..... :doh:

If it is canal related, it could only be for locks or a bridge.

If it is canal related, it could only be for locks or a bridge.

They're going under the railway viaduct and the Inner Relief Road to the Irwell - I posted a link about it a while ago (I thought on this thread) but it's disappeared. Check out British Waterways site or the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society.

Thanks chaps.

Still looks like work on the canal (sorry about the distance). However proper access roads have been built from Hampson Street (I think) and Middlewoods Locks hoardings are up, so it looks like things will happen sooner rather than later.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b64/Chorltonred/ResizeWizard-13.jpg

i'm sure apartments will be built. despite public transport weakness it's a short walk from city centre and developers are always able to balance public transport issues with increased and cheaper parking space and bigger living spaces, like where i live, next to grosvenor casino. you can actually park! :banana:
anyway, there's at least two major bus routes bordering this site!

Personally I think it would be great site for some townhouses and big family homes.

is this all out of date now..

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AniteIM.WebSearch/Results.aspx

http://www.cgr.uk.com/

CGR has worked with Valley and Vale Properties Ltd to secure planning permission for the 237,659 sqm (2.6 million sq ft) Middlewood Locks mixed use development. The scheme involves the redevelopment of a 8.52ha derelict site at the centre of the Manchester conurbation. It includes 1754 apartments, nearly 68,000 sqm of offices together with a hotel and associated retail/leisure accommodation. The scheme is centred around the reinstatement and renovation of the former Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal.


http://www.cgr.uk.com/images/cg_planningpic.jpg

http://www.cgr.uk.com/images/cg_missionpic.jpg

i don't know but that salford web link won't work for anyone, can you direct me to it on their website?

i don't know but that salford web link won't work for anyone, can you direct me to it on their website?

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/development-control/planninglist/planning-press-notices/ppn-landtonorthofmiddlewoodst.htm

this is the original link

think this might be the planning app. i've not had a look at it. it's only outline too.
http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JAM976NP40000
# 06/54000/OUT
Outline planning application (layout and access only) for mixed use development to include residential (23,217 sq.m) (Class C3) and commercial uses (17,154 sq.m) (Class B1)


there's also this, bigger, next door or on same site (ive not looked properly) to that one but on the middlewood locks site.
http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IZELUNNPO1000
# 06/52762/OUT
Outline application (access only) for mixed use development comprising 142,697 sq.m residential use (Class C1 and C3); 67,773 sq.m commercial use (Class B1); and 27,191 sq.m leisure/retail use (Class A1,A2,A3,A4 and D2) together with associated uses, carparking, landscaping and infrastructure

found using the map tool on salford planning portal (only works in I.E.): http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/mapping/map/map_detailview.aspx?module=P3

then there's this to the west (currently completely empty land),
http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=

IZELUNNPO1000
# 06/52762/OUT
Land To North Of Middlewood Street And East Of Oldfield Road, Salford (Middlewood Locks)

Outline application (access only) for mixed use development comprising 142,697 sq.m residential use (Class

C1 and C3); 67,773 sq.m commercial use (Class B1); and 27,191 sq.m leisure/retail use (Class A1,A2,A3,A4

and D2) together with associated uses, carparking, landscaping and infrastructure

feel free to copy images to photobucket then put up here :D

this in same area,
http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=

0245325OUT
# 02/45325/OUT
Site To East Of Oldfield Road And North Of
Middlewood Street
Salford 5

Mixed use development (max. floorspace of 177,817 sq m) including class C3 residential (max. 69% of the

total floorspace) hotel; Class B1(a) offices; Class A1,A2 and A3 commercial units; other associated uses;

car parking and infrastructure

mistaken post

mistaken post

mistaken post

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mistaken post

A p p l i c a t i o n . . . . o v e r l o a d . . . .

Do you want to explain some of them aps? To me it looks like on the last one, they have decided to replace a block with a larger 27 story building?

I certainly noticed plenty of activity today, both sides of the ring-road, but this may have already been covered. I think Architecty (correct me if i'm wrong) said it was re the canal basin, but good to see positive movement in any case.

oops i put half of those in the wrong thread. i only meant to put the middlewood locks ones in. ah well, at least they're only a stones throw away.

sorry
:dunno:

they were meant for the manchester thread

There's a bit of an update regarding the canal being restored through this area at the below site:

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbbc42.htm

...and an accompanying bit of text...

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/mbbc01.htm

Thanks for the update!

It looks fantastic already!

Does that new canal/basin feed into the Irwell at any point?

Does that new canal/basin feed into the Irwell at any point?

Yes it does, it goes under the ringroad thing and straight into the irwell just by the hampson st bridge (just near the old entrance to the granada studios tour...but on the other side of the river, obviously) They're working on that section at the moment.

Drove round the inner city ring road today. Builders and diggers are now on the other side of the dual carriage way extending the canal.(think) Either car park or grass embankment.(see picture) Couldn't tell as I was speeding past but caught a glimpse.

http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/14927-1/museum+of+science+industry+manchester+mg3481.jpg

No the best picture. Going under the dual carriageway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture099.jpg

Nice work Jrb on the action shot.

There are some more pictures here on the Bury Canal Society site:

http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/news/restoration.htm

Nice work Jrb on the action shot.

There are some more pictures here on the Bury Canal Society site:

http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/news/restoration.htm

Thanks Zim.

Spotted by Local Lad. (blue crane) posted it on the Mediacity thread.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture103.jpg

There's a sign outside the scrap merchant's that sits in the middle of the site. (it's the last industrial building there). Says it is to move on May 15th ie last week. The building has already had part of its roof dismantled.

good woork yesevil, I'd forgotten about this exciting project. I'll check the Bury and Bolton canal site to see if they have updated with any new pics.

About bloody time!

The metal merchants were the reason the Snodome didn't get off the ground.

They're not wasting any time demolishing this...all that was left last night was the steel frame of teh building. Good to see the back of it!

This definitely needs a picture update. Might bob down tomorrow if I've got time.

Middlewood Locks Project

http://www.chrismarleycivils.co.uk/images/IMG_0073b.jpg

Middlewood Locks Project
The work consists of excavating a tunnel between secant piles and beneath an existing reinforced concrete slab. To restore the canal route beneath the newly built section of Manchester inner ring road as part of a large scale re-development project.

The tunnel was excavated using mini excavators with the material transferred to the surface using dumpers. The ground conditions vary between clay and rock and include the removal of an old lock section.

The work is being carried out for Volker Stevin, and includes shotcrete lining to the piles to form the permanent finish.

they're really making progress with the canal. I took some pics today....


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/coopermanuk/DSC00275.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/coopermanuk/DSC00276.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/coopermanuk/DSC00277.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/coopermanuk/DSC00278.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/coopermanuk/DSC00279.jpg

do we get buildings with that?
or has that not been sent in yet?

thanks for the pics copperman. was there a few weeks ago and couldn't believe how little gets said about it. all these new canals in manchester. wow.

bring back liverpool street station and you've got canary wharf. ;)

As of Friday there is just a small part of the scrap metal buildings frame left. BTW - you probably know but the re-aligned road is open again (Ordsall lane west?) across the site.

The city centre just keeps getting bigger and bigger. are they building towers around those canals, they dont seem big enough, this scheme continues across the road and under the railway viaduct doesnt it! im a wee bit confused with this one, as usual!

today
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/middlewood%20locks%202008_6_16/IMG_5440%20copy.jpg

today
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/middlewood%20locks%202008_6_16/IMG_5440%20copy.jpg

Nice shot Comdot. Lovin the blue sky, fluffy clouds and Beetham tower of course. :)

cheers jerb :)
perfect photography weather today.
took so many pictures (as ever).

here's another from down there today.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/894BeethamTowerandGreatNorthernTowerviewedfromthewest_pic1.jpg

xxx

Drove past this site this morning and noticed that they seem to be covering the entire site with topsoil. doesn't look like much in the way of buildings will happen any time soon.

Nice shot Comdot. Lovin the blue sky, fluffy clouds and Beetham tower of course. :)

I'm beginning to think it's our Eiffel Tower. You can see that from every window in Paris - according to movies - and the Beetham seems to be in every other picture on here!

Slightly out of date. Good pics though.

May 9th 2008

A "breakthrough" was celebrated today on the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal.

The last section of sandstone is cut through to complete the tunnel.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood06.jpg

British Waterways engineers, construction workers from Volker Stevin and members of the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society were on hand to witness the breaking through of the new Margaret Fletcher Tunnel in Salford.

The new tunnel beneath the Inner Relief Road and Manchester to Liverpool railway is named after Margaret Fletcher, the late chairman of the Canal Society, who successfully secured funding for its design and construction. The tunnel will emerge into a new deep lock replacing the original staircase locks leading from the River Irwell.

The excavator has broken through and construction workers from each side of the tunnel meet with a traditional hand shake!

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood07.jpg

Two lines of concrete piles were sunk into the ground before construction of the relief road started. The sandstone rock between the piles was then excavated from beneath the finished roadway to form the tunnel.

The canal through the tunnel could be open to navigation later in 2008. It will lead to the restored Lock 3 and a stretch of canal as far as Oldfield Road. The canal will become the centrepiece of the Middlewood Locks development.

Inside the new tunnel, looking towards the deep lock. There will be a landing on the right, with steps leading up to the lock side.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/middlewood08.jpg

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/index.htm

Excellent stuff :)

Had a wander down on Sunday night, looks terrific. Proper Dibnah style engineering.

Does anyone know what the concrete "shelf" over the confluence of the canal and Irwell is?

Slip

Had a wander down on Sunday night, looks terrific. Proper Dibnah style engineering.

Does anyone know what the concrete "shelf" over the confluence of the canal and Irwell is?

Slip

I think it must be part of the 'Irwell Park' walkway proposal.

Ta-da!

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050004.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050012.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050011.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050008.jpg

Locks are still dammed and lock gates still need to go on, but otherwise looking good...

Tunnel under railway has been part excavated just out of shot to the left of the last picture.

Fusion, and...

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050010.jpg

...a bit of a wilderness develloping around the old marketing suite.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii16/Goldie_78/P8050009.jpg

That is a beautiful thing ^^

(the new canal arm i mean - not that piece of shit Fusion!)

Wow, looking good! When are they due to have finished the canl locks etc?

One of my mates lives in Fusion , gotta say its a stunning apartment .

strikes me as one of those flats they build adjacent railways/ major roads so that every tom twin and larry knows its there but hasn't a clue about the noise from traffic. like people who live on those new builds right on the manc way. one water street will take the biscuit in this respect.

From the IWA September newsletter:

Head Office Bulletin – September 2009 – Issue 140
http://www.waterways.org.uk/News/HeadOfficeBulletin/September2008

The opening of the Middlewood Section of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal and the formal naming of the Margaret Fletcher Tunnel is due to take place on Friday 19th September. Plans are being made for a few boats to be able to enter the canal from the river Irwell, subject to the vagaries of the river, which can quickly become a raging torrent following high rainfall. The opening ceremony is planned for 1.30pm, and the best view for visitors will probably be from Prince’s Bridge, which is off Water Street, behind Granada’s studios and at the river end of Liverpool Road. For those coming by public transport it is possible to access Prince’s Bridge from the Inner Relief Road, opposite Hampson Street, which is about 0.25 miles from Salford (not Salford Crescent) Station. There should also be some car parking by the site office, which is part of the former Mancentral Trading Estate, on East Ordsall Lane, Salford.

Canal tunnel tax. ^^ Can't pay, won't pay.

Brilliant - I love the idea of boats on the river more than is healthy. I've got my fingers crossed for some "Granada reports comes to you from a small boat on the River Irwell" action...

am i right that middlewood locks will be accessible from a canal to the north? or is the only access going always going to be from the river?

Only access is from the river - the society plans on reopening the whole thing eventually but I think I'm right in thinking the canal doesn't link with any waterway apart from the irwell.

Another update. Looking good. All we need now are buildings.

Sept 19th 2008



The first boats entered the newly restored section of the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal in Salford today.

Boats gathered on the River Irwell to enter the new Margaret Fletcher Tunnel leading to the new lock.

The lock has a fall of around 4m (16 ft), depending on the river level. It replaces the original Locks 1 and 2, which formed a staircase. These had to be replaced by a tunnel under the Relief Road and the new lock to the west of the railway.

After the first boat, the Prince William, rose in the lock, speeches were made and a plaque was unveiled.

Photo, right: The first boat entering the Margaret Fletcher Tunnel.

More photos of the event and of the new canal sections in water will appear on Pennine Waterways tomorrow.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/mbbc18.jpg

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/mbbc11.jpg

Nice shot.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/images/mbbc31.jpg

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/

So is it just a dead end, and a couple of turning circles?

So is it just a dead end, and a couple of turning circles?

At the moment it will be, but it's like any long restoration journey, it all begins with the smallest step.

This part of the canal being completed will be a big shot in the arm to get the next stage of the canal restored.

..

specifically it will head to upper wharf street, passing the railway and oldfield road. i think that is the next phase, judging from the planning application for what's been done so far.

Even if nothing of Middlewood Locks gets built, it's a positive that the canal link has been contructed. It can only mean but good things for the future. The fact it's been built means future prosperity.

*cheeky v's*

Aw. Now why delete your post? You wouldn't happen to be a tit would you?

babies shouldn't smoke.

The Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal ran from Salford to Prestolee, near Little Lever, from where one arm ran to Bolton and another to Bury.

The 15 miles of canal had 17 locks, including 4 staircases of two or three locks together. Two of its major aqueducts are still standing.

It connected to the River Irwell in Manchester.

A spectacular breach in 1936 led to the canal's eventual closure.

The canal is expected to be restored in the next few years.

The first section of the canal from the River Irwell, including the first three locks, is to be re-opened as part of the Middlewood development.

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/index.htm

babies shouldn't smoke.

I don't think dgnr8's post was aimed at you Comdot fella.

Like New Islingtojn, new Waterways are in place and the surrounding area is flat and ready to be developed. Both may take longer than we'd hoped, but equally both hold plenty of promise.

Good images JRB.

You're not wrong Shutty. Maybe I should use the quote machine in future.

I'm really impressesd with the Bury and Bolton Canal Society they have done really well, quite inspiring what you can do in your spare time and are a lesson for a lot of people including me.

There are some more pictures here: http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbbc46.htm

You're not wrong Shutty. Maybe I should use the quote machine in future.

it's ok i did realise.

http://www.youthinformation.com/Shared_ASP_Files/UploadedFiles/21770DD8-5ED0-4771-8EC4-8EA2E560F18E_NHSDirect.gif

From Place North West.

Middlewood canal reopened
25 September 2008, 12:58

Michael Hunt

British Waterways has reached a major landmark in the restoration of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal by completing the first section of restored canal at Middlewood, Salford.

The opening of the 15.2 mile long canal was the most challenging phase of the £5.9m project. The canal, first built 200 years ago, is being delivered by contractors Volker Stevin and led by British Waterways.

Filled in during the 1960s, the canal through Middlewood represents the focal point for £600m of urban regeneration comprising of a mixed-use development.

Restoration works have included the creation of a tunnel under the Salford Inner relief road, which then extends under the Manchester/Wigan Rail Viaduct. This new tunnel will be known as the 'Margaret Fletcher Tunnel', dedicated to the late and much respected chairman of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society.

Other engineering works include:

excavation of 80,000 tonnes of rubble and material
widening of East Ordsall Lane road bridge; the creation of two small circular basins
restoration of the original Lock 3
construction of a new seven-metre deep lock, which will be the third deepest lock within British Waterways' 2,200-mile network.
North West European Development Fund (through Manchester Enterprises), Salford City Council, North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Valley & Vale Properties Ltd have helped with funding on the scheme.

Salford Planning portal.

06/54000/OUT 20/12/2006 Land At Middlewood Basin Off East Ordsall Lane Salford 5 Outline planning application (layout and access only) for mixed use development to include residenti... Application Permitted

Drawings, diagrams.

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/04914726.pdf

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/04914730.pdf

Full details.

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AniteIM.WebSearch/Results.aspx

Salford Planning portal.

06/54000/OUT 20/12/2006 Land At Middlewood Basin Off East Ordsall Lane Salford 5 Outline planning application (layout and access only) for mixed use development to include residenti... Application Permitted

Drawings, diagrams.

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/04914726.pdf

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/04914730.pdf

Full details.

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AniteIM.WebSearch/Results.aspx

Links not working!

They only work in Internet Explorer.

They only work in Internet Explorer.

OK with Firefox 3 as well.

OK with Firefox 3 as well.

the last link won't work with any browser because it relies on JRB's cookies :doh: which he doesn't seem to be sharing around. :ohno:

you need to take the planning reference that he posted and go to the 'public access' section of salford city council's planning website. farce of the century, i know.

if you're still reading this tedious explanation, that last link of jerb's was the link to the DOCUMENTS of the planning application. linking to the PLANNING APPLICATION itself WILL work.

salford city council and manchester city council's provision of planning documents via the internet are beyond reasonable use. it would be quicker for me to drive from liverpool to manchester town hall than it would be for me to download certain apps, regardless of what broadband i have.

Call me a fool, but I cannot find the relevant page to access this stuff.

These public sites are meant to be fool proof too.

They're demolishing yet another warehouse building within the Middlewood site - over by the railway. Shame that there's no building likely to start any time soon!!

one pic from t'other day, from a very nice visit (:cheers: my first) to cloud 23

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2009_06_24/IMG_8559%20copy.jpg

Nice photo. A shame some knobs have vandalised the fencing already.

A quote from Crain's (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk) last week:
Land values not worth banking on
August 24, 2009
...
Brian Jervis, owner of Stockport-based developer Valley and Vale Properties, which owns the Middlewood Locks site in between Manchester city centre and Salford, said almost every scheme that has not yet been built is being reconsidered.

“The market is what it is and we'll have to put a new plan together for Middlewood Locks,” he said. “We had plans for six million sq ft in 15 plots but the split of commercial to residential that we thought would work at the time clearly isn't going to now.

“Yes, the land is costing us to keep but I want to develop the site as I feel it has a future. The site has had £18m spent on it in infrastructure.”
...

Big bill-boards gone up today on the Middlewood Locks site -looks like they're trying to sell off the individual plots to developers. New website quoted on the billboards, (nothing but a holding page):

http://www.middlewood-locks.com/

They obviously let middlewoodlocks.co.uk (http://www.middlewoodlocks.co.uk) lapse, someone appears to have started a photo blog on there...and given up.

This was in Crains last week,
Middlewood Locks up for sale
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
May 17, 2010
By Simon Binns

Middlewood Locks, a 21-acre site bordering Manchester city centre and Salford, has been put up for sale after its owners went into administration.

Stockport-based developer Valley and Vale Properties was placed into administration by Alliance & Leicester Plc, which was owed £24.5m.

The bank had a charge over the site and although its facilities expired in 2008, it allowed the developer to market the site in the hope of finding a buyer. Several failed attempts were made to sell it but buyers were unable to complete.

The site was revalued in 2009, however, and the reduced valuation meant the bank was unwilling to fund its running costs any further. The Manchester office of Grant Thornton was appointed as administrator in February.

The administrators report said the site was worth less than the amount owed to Alliance & Leicester. The firm's debts totalled £32m, including £7.6m to HM Revenue & Customs.

The Manchester office of GL Hearn is marketing the site for the administrators.

Planning consent was granted in April 2007 for a mixed use development to include residential, commercial, retail and leisure uses covering around 2.5m sq ft.

The Manchester Ship Canal runs through the site, which also includes 14 railway arches let on long leaseholds.

An undeveloped plot of around 1.5 acres, owned by a third party, could also be included in the overall site, according to the agents' particulars. The asking price is not disclosed, however.

A local regeneration framework estimates the site could be home to 3,350 people and create 5,500 jobs.

Karen Hirst, development director at Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (URC), said she was hopeful that it would appeal to a large developer.

“We want to find a partner who can bring it forward,” she said.

“Would the council or the URC step in? I think we have to take it to market first but I don't think a site of this size would put off a larger developer. They often want a bigger scale.”

The Manchester Ship Canal runs through the site :lol:

c'mon Crains.

Hah, thanks for bumping this. I moved to Salford last year and have rode along Middlewood Street many a time and wondered why there was 1) a great big empty patch of land, and 2) a massive block of apartments all alone in the middle of nowhere. Should've guessed!

Deal close for Middlewood Locks

Administrator considering offers for 21-acre site

16/08/2010 15:07:12

Administrators handling the 21-acre Middlewood Locks site that connects Manchester and Salford are closing in on finding a buyer.

The site, which was owned by Stockport-based Valley and Vale Properties, was put into administration in June when the Manchestyer office of Grant Thornton was appointed by the Alliance & Leicester Plc, which was owed £24.5m.

Stephen Downey at the Manchester office of GL Hearn is marketing the site for the administrators and he said it had generated more than 20 enquiries.

“That led to about ten offers and we’re looking at the top two,” he said. “It’s a decision for the administrators and the bank but we’re hopeful it will be in lawyers hands in a couple of weeks. If all goes well, it could exchange within six weeks.”

Downey said most potential buyers had been looking to take on the whole site. “There is money out there,” he said. “It’s a rare site in that it’s very big and it has been cleared. There are a number of things a developer could do with it.

“A few interested parties have come with access to private equity, but not so many with bank debt as finance. But there are plenty of developers out there that need a project.”

A recent administrators report said the site was worth less than the amount owed to Alliance & Leicester, although no formal asking price has been disclosed. The firm's debts totalled £32m, including £7.6m to HM Revenue & Customs.

Planning consent was given for the site in April 2007, which allowed for a mixed use development including residential, commercial, retail and leisure uses covering around 2.5m sq ft.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Property/General/Deal-close-for-Middlewood-Locks_11918.asp

Lets hope something positive comes out of this. It's a bit in limbo around there at the moment, nothing connects properly it needs something to pull the whole area together and turn it into a proper urban neighbourhood.

I hope any next phase is better than the first piece of crap that was built by George Wimpey. Not only is it hideous from the outside the insides are tiny

i dont want to sound too negative, but if anything residential is built on this site, in 20 years time it is going to be regarded as a massive failure like the crescents in hulme were.

the fusion block across the road is already a cess pit, despite only being built a few years ago. it has a high crime rate. its poorly built and has a high number of 'difficult' neighbours. the bushes between it and railway are filled with rubbish from people just launching their household waste out of the window, rather than walking to the bins and there is graffitti everywhere.

the only way i can see this area escaping the trap of urban blight is if a high value residential development is built, out of the price range of the dead beats who have destroyed fusion.

the only way i can see this area escaping the trap of urban blight is if a high value residential development is built, out of the price range of the dead beats who have destroyed fusion.

And they're still trying to sell one of the top floor apartments in Fusion for £240,000. The only thing is, should they build a high value apartment block of a similiar style to Leftbank would tenants and owner occupiers really want to live opposite Fusion?

Is it tenants that have graffited the block or scallies? And are there many folks living in there who are on benefits?

Any chance trams could run up along the side of the site? Currently there is a spur feeding what I think may be a cement works and a lot of space next to the existing tracks. Could some of the roads be poached for trams e.g. Withington Street? You've also got the under-used viaduct that serves as Salford Central rail station and goes beyond. Pie in the sky?

And they're still trying to sell one of the top floor apartments in Fusion for £240,000. The only thing is, should they build a high value apartment block of a similiar style to Leftbank would tenants and owner occupiers really want to live opposite Fusion?

Is it tenants that have graffited the block or scallies? And are there many folks living in there who are on benefits?

I would not look at Fusion as the biggest drag to the area. Some of the adjacent sites are quite industrial and others are low quality housing.

And they're still trying to sell one of the top floor apartments in Fusion for £240,000. The only thing is, should they build a high value apartment block of a similiar style to Leftbank would tenants and owner occupiers really want to live opposite Fusion?

Is it tenants that have graffited the block or scallies? And are there many folks living in there who are on benefits?

you can get a ground floor flat for well under £500 quid if you haggle hard enough and the bottom two floors is where the problem tenants seem to congregate. that would be more than covered by housing benefit if two of you lived there.

the graffitti is most likely done by the little hoodie bastards that are always trying locks and doors late at night around the back near the rubbish. there was an incident a while ago where someone was allegedly kidnapped in the car park, someone walked into my mates flat and stole his laptop whilst he was at home and there are always witness appeal posters from the police appearing periodically making mention of some assault or other.

as for luxury, left bank style developments, despite the fact that you can see the city centre right in front of you, you are in fact in salford, so i dont think that high end a development would work.

they could maybe go for something like those town houses that were built in salford quays,mixed with some other developments, but i dont know whether that would work either.

on a wider scale though, i would advise anyone considering buying a flat in a new build block of flats in the city centre to do some serious research before doing so. otherwise they could find themselves with massive negative equity and living in a crime den in 20 years time.

the graffitti is most likely done by the little hoodie bastards that are always trying locks and doors late at night around the back near the rubbish. there was an incident a while ago where someone was allegedly kidnapped in the car park, someone walked into my mates flat and stole his laptop whilst he was at home and there are always witness appeal posters from the police appearing periodically making mention of some assault or other.

.

not exactly ''allegedly'' kidnapped. They were sent down for kidnap and torture. Right pair of illiterate looking neanderthals. I mean, hanging around outside a dump like Fusion looking to make some money. It's a bit surreal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-10701383

not exactly ''allegedly'' kidnapped. They were sent down for kidnap and torture. Right pair of illiterate looking neanderthals. I mean, hanging around outside a dump like Fusion looking to make some money. It's a bit surreal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-10701383

i didnt know about it in that much detail. i imagined it would be some sort of domestic dispute or something. it doesnt say why they targeted him though or how they knew who he was?

My ideal for this site would be a leisure or tourist destination. It right on the edge of the city centre, great access via the ring road and loads of space. Incorporate the canal somehow and it has loads of potential.

IMO its the ideal site for a 'Trinity' Station (think Berlin Hauptbahnhof), twixt between the Regional/City Centre, Spinningfields, Castlefield, Chapel St and Salford Quays.

Be cheaper to do a newbuild rather than constantly tart up Victoria, Oxford Road, etc. Rather than build Ordsall Curve, create a Amsterdam Sloterdijk-style two-level station enabling interchange between a N-S and E-W axis.

IMO its the ideal site for a 'Trinity' Station (think Berlin Hauptbahnhof), twixt between the Regional/City Centre, Spinningfields, Castlefield, Chapel St and Salford Quays.

Be cheaper to do a newbuild rather than constantly tart up Victoria, Oxford Road, etc. Rather than build Ordsall Curve, create a Amsterdam Sloterdijk-style two-level station enabling interchange between a N-S and E-W axis.

as this isnt a transport thread i dont want to go into too much detail as to why i dont think that is a good idea for this location, but i still dont think it is.

Personally I think transport is a issue to the site and its success.

When the IRR was completed, it made an artifical choke, by closing Liverpool Street and Prince's Bridge as a through traffic route (except for pedestrians/cyclists), removing a psychological link/connection into the regional centre.

How about creating a city park (as part of the wider Irwell City Park project) in the meantime, until a more viable project gets started?

After all, Trafford Ecology Park was created from a run down, brownfield site in the not too distant past.

Personally I think transport is a issue to the site and its success.

When the IRR was completed, it made an artifical choke, by closing Liverpool Street and Prince's Bridge as a through traffic route (except for pedestrians/cyclists), removing a psychological link/connection into the regional centre.

How about creating a city park (as part of the wider Irwell City Park project) in the meantime, until a more viable project gets started?

After all, Trafford Ecology Park was created from a run down, brownfield site in the not too distant past.

its difficult to know what to do with it. i think it will ultimately become flats, but as i stated earlier, i think they will end up being quite run down. i cant see a termporary anything being built on the site. last i read alliance and leicester had got lumbered with the site after the developer went bust.

i get the impression that this area represents a complete white elephant for them that they cant shift because of the climate. i would imagine the chances of them funding anything further on the site are virtually zero.

it took them about a year to fork out for a couple of security guards in a portacabin and they only did that because the locals were in the process of destroying the newley rebuilt canal basin and further depreciating the value of their asset.

because there is a such a good view of the city centre from middlewood, you kind of get the impression that it is actually in the city centre, but in reality it is slightly too far away from the action to serve as a transport interchange and lacks the location advantages of trafford park or salford quays for building high end type developments.

on a wider point, im starting to get the impression that many of these new build flats are going to turn into disaster areas in the coming few decades. especially the ones built in the past 5 years. build quality seems to have slipped as developers tried to rush through as many developments as possible before the bubble burst and oversupply as led to questionable tennant vetting in recent times, which in turn is making many of these locations less than desirable to live in.

add to that private landlords not maintaining their properties and building management companies to maintaing the communal areas properly and many of these builds are going to be a rotting eyesore sooner than we might imagine.

With the views of the city that it has and the canal, why don't it get turned into a much needed park, the railway arches could be turned in to small cafe's, bars offices etc. It could be a good place to go

With the views of the city that it has and the canal, why don't it get turned into a much needed park, the railway arches could be turned in to small cafe's, bars offices etc. It could be a good place to go

isnt the land currently retailing at about £20 million or something outrageous? i cant see salford council coughing up that much for a park when its going to take them 10 years to redevelop the land along chapel street.

could this be linked in with the complete re-development of Chapel St (and the estate in between)? Build some link roads under the railway etc.

could this be linked in with the complete re-development of Chapel St (and the estate in between)? Build some link roads under the railway etc.

east ordsall lane already links chapel street with middlewood by road at one end and oldfield road links it at the other end. if i was salford council and i had 20 million to spend i would prioritise chapel street over middlewood, especially as middlewood is currently the banks problem to sort out.

Sounds promising. :) Link to the Middlewood Locks website below articles. Plenty of renders, etc.

Place North West.

Buyer found for Middlewood Locks

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/402x269/sep_10/pnw__1285580005_Middlewood_Locks_crop.jpg

Buyer found for Middlewood Locks
27 Sep 2010, 10:32

An offer has been accepted and lawyers are being instructed to conclude the sale of the 21-acre development site in Salford, according to agents GL Hearn.

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to Stephen Downey, corporate diorector of GL Hearn, advisor to Martin Ellis and Andrew Hosking of Grant Thornton, joint administrators of previous site owner Valley & Vale. The administrators were appointed by Santander.

Downey said the identity of the buyer could not be revealed at this stage but added: "Middlewood Locks is one of those unique opportunities that comes along due to unforeseen circumstances and gives those parties who are well funded or access to funds an opportunity to buy a very large tranche of land with outline planning consent on the edge of the city centre at what could be described as normal or sensible pricing levels.''

Middlewood Locks, across the River Irwell from the Granada complex on the edge of Manchester city centre, has outline planning consent for a total of 2.55m sq ft of mixed use, residential, retail, leisure and commercial uses.

Downey said 100 enquiries received following a national marketing campaign. He added: "Middlewood Locks is the first large undeveloped site in Manchester to be brought to the market since the financial crisis and therefore the level of interest and enquiries received is a good sounding board as to the state of the market and the appetite to still do large scale land transactions.

"Interestingly as a reflection of the times we are now in, financial backing on offers came mainly from private equity and, not surprisingly, no bank debt, a number of established funds in partnership with and without developers. Enquiries came from outside the region with the introduction of some new names over and above the usual recognised North West players."

http://www.environmentalassociates.net/images/subprojects/UK%20-%20middlewood/ML-1.jpg

http://www.environmentalassociates.net/Middlewood%20Lock.htm

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog! :lol:

Old rendoids those Jerb!

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog! :lol:

Old rendoids those Jerb!

Indeed chogs. But you never know. Fingers crossed. X.

things seem to be picking up again nicely on the development front. maybe its time someone started a thread summarising which developments have escaped death by financial crisis and which ones look like being resurrected in a new form.

things seem to be picking up again nicely on the development front. maybe its time someone started a thread summarising which developments have escaped death by financial crisis and which ones look like being resurrected in a new form.

I. Mediacity, Jessica fund and the Super Casino leisure destination proposal or just coincidence?

I. Mediacity, Jessica fund and the Super Casino leisure destination proposal or just coincidence?

most of the stuff that seems to be moving forward of late seems to be in salford (or right on the very edge of it in the case of trafford wharf) rather than manchester. is this due to the large amount of brownfield sites in salford do people think?

Bump.

This strip of desolate potential was mentioned on the oxford rd thread, so I decided to do a bit of quick research between revising physics.

I mentioned on the hotel thread that I'd love this area to be transformed into a high street/retail area (new area of the city centre). I found a (sadly old) proposal which I like very much:

http://www.environmentalassociates.net/Middlewood%20Lock.htm

Hmm?

Personally a good place to stick a HST International station, assuming it isnt going beneath the city centre that is.

Site meeting being held this morning. Loads of men in suits refering to what looks like plans and documents in their hands. They were at the centre of the site so it doesn't look as though it is related to the canal.

Lets hope something is about to start!

Might be for the Ordsall Curve?

Might be for the Ordsall Curve?

They were not in the area of the Ordsall Curve. They were at Oldfield Road/ former Hampson Street junction, right at the top end of the site. The Curve is the other side of the viaduct, nearest Trinity Way.

Hopefully some movement on development of the area.

They were not in the area of the Ordsall Curve. They were at Oldfield Road/ former Hampson Street junction, right at the top end of the site. The Curve is the other side of the viaduct, nearest Trinity Way.

Hopefully some movement on development of the area.


New hoardings have been erected advertising this site for potential residential, retail, hotel development, usual stuff, but looks like at last they want to do something with this site.

Just learned today Middlewood Locks has been (part) sold to the Scarborough Group, let us see what happens with this development area, an eyesore @ the mo with loads of money spent on infrastructure and an empty re-instated canal :ohno:

Cheers for that, interesting stuff. Going on what Stan posted maybe suggests advanced plans. Will be interesting to know how much of the plot they've taken & what direction they're intending on developing it, office, leisure, retail etc.

http://www.scarboroughgroup.com/real-estate.html

is there a footpath adjacent to the canal that runs under trinity way? will make going running around the local area a lot easier if you dont have to negotiate trinity way during rush hour.

is there a footpath adjacent to the canal that runs under trinity way? will make going running around the local area a lot easier if you dont have to negotiate trinity way during rush hour.

There may be but access is fenced off, or supposed to be. There is a gap in the fence under the arches, which I went through. I noticed a set of steps going down but I didn't venture down them. There is a lot of 'stuff' under the arches and it looks like people have been sleeping rough there. Should be okay if the whole place gets developed and there's lots of people about but it looks a bit dodgy at the moment. I didn't linger.

Just had a thought - the steps may be for boaters to access the locks.