Planning approval secured for Salford’s iconic Soapworks mixed-use regeneration scheme

Chapman Taylor’s new masterplan for Salford’s iconic Soapworks site has achieved Planning Approval, paving the way for the £200M mixed-use regeneration project to progress.

This ambitious regeneration project will revitalise the 8.5-acre site, transforming it from a gated commercial site into a welcoming, sustainable, and accessible mixed-use neighbourhood. Chapman Taylor’s masterplan thoughtfully integrates the adaptive re-use of the redundant factory building to form a new commercial workplace and 78 affordable homes, plus the development of 3 new residential buildings providing up to 500 new homes and resident amenities. The new public park and children’s play area create links to the riverside walks and cycle routes and is served by a community pavilion at the heart of the space.

The approved plans are structured into two phases:

Phase 1 – Detailed Planning Consent

• Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Factory: Transforming the last vacant building on the former Colgate Palmolive site into approximately 60,000 sqft of modern, flexible Grade A office space and 78 affordable homes.
• Sustainable Transportation Hub: A new multi-level facility designed to accommodate approximately 900 car and motorcycle parking spaces, plus. c. 1,000 sqft of incubator office space, offering up to 45 studio spaces for start-up, and SME businesses.
• New Public Realm: Extensive new public realm and green spaces, connecting pedestrian and cycle routes through the site to provide a safe, permeable and attractive setting. The new public park will replace existing surface car parking with high quality green space, promoting and supporting biodiversity for planting and wildlife. A new children's play park will be an attractive amenity for the local community and help to activate the waterside setting, adjacent to the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal.

Phase 2 – Outline Planning Consent

• Three New, High-quality Residential Buildings: Delivering approximately 500 contemporary homes with a range of high-quality resident amenities.
• Community Centre Pavilion and Associated Public Realm: Expanding public amenities and fostering a sense of community within the development.

A vision for a sustainable future

Led by Bankfoot APAM, this transformative project aims to redefine urban living in Salford. By incorporating sustainable design principles and enhancing public accessibility, the Soapworks regeneration will complement the ongoing evolution of Salford as a thriving, forward-thinking city.

With this exciting milestone, the Soapworks site is set to become a beacon of modern, mixed-use urban regeneration, offering new homes, a range of premium office spaces, and vibrant public spaces that will benefit the local community for generations to come.