Salford City Council has granted approval for Crescent Innovation, a crucial part of the £2.5bn Crescent Salford masterplan.
With Salford City Council’s approval, Crescent Innovation is set to transform a 29-acre plot between Broughton Road East and University Road. This project is part of the extensive Crescent Salford masterplan, which also includes 933 new homes and 1.7 million sq ft of commercial innovation, academic, and research floorspace. The masterplan aims to establish a high-quality innovation ecosystem around the University of Salford to bolster economic growth and enhance connections between academia, research, and business.
Crescent Innovation will be linked to the broader masterplan by Salford Rise, a nearly five-acre podium spanning Frederick Road. This structure will create a gateway between the university campus and the wider innovation zone, promoting connectivity and collaboration. Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to provide world-class research and development facilities that will benefit both local people and businesses. He remarked, “The Crescent Innovation proposals are a key element of the wider vision for the Crescent area and will change the face of the area through the creation of a high-quality innovation environment, where people can achieve their full potential. I look forward to seeing our vision delivered on the ground.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, Prof Nic Beech, also praised the approval, seeing it as a major milestone in their mission to make Salford a global hub for innovation and research. “Working alongside our Crescent partners, we are committed to advancing our vision of creating world-class facilities that will benefit local residents and businesses. I am thrilled that this significant planning application has been approved and eagerly anticipate seeing our shared vision come to life,” said Prof Beech.
Max Bentham, Development Director at ECF, echoed these sentiments, noting that the approval marks a significant step in their mission to position Salford on the global stage for innovation and research. He stated, “The city has always been a pioneer of industry, and the creation of Crescent Innovation will equip Salford – and the wider region – with the facilities and opportunities to make an impact on the world stage, as well as driving growth and prosperity.” This initiative is part of a larger effort by ECF, in partnership with Salford City Council and the University of Salford, to deliver more than 3,000 homes, extensive office spaces, retail, leisure facilities, a new transport hub, and vast green areas.
The site is strategically located within Salford’s Innovation Triangle, which includes Salford Quays and MediaCity, the University of Salford, and Salford Royal Hospital. Approval for Crescent Innovation follows the completion of three world-leading university facilities: the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, the Science, Engineering, and Environment (SEE) building, and Energy House 2.0. These developments further emphasise Salford’s growing reputation as a centre for cutting-edge research and innovation.
Crescent Innovation’s approval represents a significant advancement in Salford’s transformation into a global hub for innovation, providing a synergistic environment that bridges academia, research, and business.