Plans for the University of Salford’s new health building on its Frederick Road campus have been approved by Salford City Council. Construction is set to commence in late October, with the project expected to be completed by autumn 2026.
The new facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub at the heart of the university estate. It will house some of the institution’s most sought-after healthcare courses, including podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, sports rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and sport science. University staff and students engaged in health and wellbeing activities will also have access to the space.
The building is envisioned as a community focal point for public services provided by the university’s partners, such as mother and child health sessions, weight management clinics, and other wellbeing forums. It reinforces the university’s commitment to addressing health and social inequalities and supporting the NHS’s workforce challenges.
Prof Vicky Halliwell, Deputy Dean at the School of Health and Society, described the building as ‘one of the gems in the expanding University of Salford estate.’ She emphasised the benefit to the thousands of students trained annually for careers in the NHS, social care, and beyond, and highlighted the state-of-the-art teaching environment.
The new building will be highly sustainable, being all-electric and meeting BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold building standards. Notable features include an attractive roof space and terraces, a daylight-filled atrium, and extensive indoor planting to promote wellbeing and healthy living. Larger spaces will be available for booking by community groups, staff, and students for therapeutic activities. Additionally, green pathways and outdoor relaxation areas will be incorporated.
Construction group Kier, in collaboration with AHR Architects, is responsible for the building’s design. Strategically located behind the Mary Seacole building and adjacent to Salford Crescent train station, the new facility is part of the university’s multimillion-pound Campus Connectivity Plan, aimed at benefiting staff, students, and the local community. The building will also support Salford City Council’s broader Crescent development scheme.
The School of Health and Society, the largest school within the university, will predominantly benefit from this new addition. With over 8,400 students, the school stands to gain significantly from the enhanced facilities and resources the new building will offer. The university has also indicated it will begin the process of naming the new building in the coming months.
The new health building at the University of Salford represents a significant investment in both education and community health services. By providing cutting-edge facilities and promoting sustainability, the university aims to enhance the learning experience for its students and support the local community’s wellbeing.