Plans to build 218 affordable homes on a former industrial site in Swinton have drawn 56 online objections, prompting developers to arrange a public drop-in event for residents to view the final proposals and question the project team.
Kellen Homes and ForHousing want to transform the former RMS Swinton site off Pendlebury Road into an 'affordable neighbourhood' comprising 211 homes for social rent and seven shared-ownership properties. The application includes four apartment blocks, 43 terraced homes, green spaces and parking bays.
Residents raise flooding and traffic concerns
Dozens of locals have opposed the plans over fears of flooding and a 'traffic nightmare'. The application has received 56 online objections and has been widely discussed on social media. Local councillors have also voiced scepticism, with councillor Jim Cammell commenting that the plans 'represent an overdevelopment' of the area.
Network Rail has warned that the site lies in a former coal mining area, with shafts thought to intersect with the railway and presenting engineering challenges. The location of the tracks also 'increases the risk of the development causing flooding to the railway', according to the report.
Public drop-in event announced
To address the concerns, the developers have called a public drop-in event on Wednesday, November 4, from 2pm to 7pm at the Valley Community Centre on Dorning Road. Representatives from Kellen Homes and ForHousing will be present to answer questions and take on feedback.
Mark Waite, Director of Planning at Kellen Homes, said: "Following the submission of the planning application, the public drop-in event will provide an opportunity for local people to view the final plans and speak directly with the project team."
"The scheme has evolved through the design process, informed by feedback from local stakeholders and recommendations from Salford's Design Review Panel. We would encourage anyone with an interest in the proposals to come along and find out more," he added.
Councillors welcome meeting but maintain objections
Responding to the decision to hold the event, coun Cammell said: "I welcome this public meeting, which is something I have repeatedly asked the developer to arrange. Residents should have been given the opportunity to question the developer face-to-face much earlier in the process and before the original deadline for planning comments."
He added: "I have formally objected to this proposal because I believe 218 homes, including four five-storey blocks of flats, represent an overdevelopment of the site. Affordable housing is desperately needed, but developments must be appropriate for their location, supported by adequate infrastructure and designed to create sustainable, integrated communities rather than simply maximise the number of units on a site."
His concerns included a 'lack of meaningful green space, additional traffic on already congested roads, and a lack of supporting infrastructure'. Coun Heather Fletcher added that 'the need for affordable housing needs to be suitably balanced with the impact it will have on the neighbouring community'.
Kellen Homes did not respond to a request for comment at the time, but a spokesperson indicated they would be 'looking into' the issues raised by residents and Network Rail. The developers have since indicated the plans have 'evolved' from the original proposal. Mr Waite concluded: "Working with ForHousing, we have an opportunity to deliver much-needed affordable homes alongside new public open space, landscaping and environmental improvements on an underutilised brownfield site."
