In a move that could reshape the skyline and housing landscape of Greater Manchester, Henley Investment Management is pushing forward with its ambitious £1 billion development at Salford’s Regent Retail Park.
As highlighted in a recent feature by the Manchester Evening News, this transformative project stands to deliver the largest affordable housing scheme in Salford in over 50 years, blending high-rise innovation with community-focused design.
Spanning eight acres of prime land along Regent Road, on the doorstep of Manchester city centre, the proposal envisions 3,300 new homes across ten striking towers, including what would be the region’s tallest skyscraper at an impressive 273 metres (approximately 78 storeys). Acquired by HIM for £16 million in 2020, the site currently houses everyday retail staples like Sports Direct, Home Bargains, and Cancer Research UK, alongside a vast car park. Under our vision, this underutilized space will evolve into a vibrant, self-contained neighbourhood complete with five acres of lush open green space, medical facilities for doctors and dentists, a new public park, and 600 dedicated parking spaces.
At the heart of the project is our unwavering commitment to affordability and inclusivity. The scheme pledges 660 affordable homes, addressing the acute housing needs in one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions.
”We’ve done a bit of digging but we think it’s the biggest in 40 or 50 years in Salford or Manchester, it’s an enormous undertaking which we’re up for, and unprecedented for a long time,
said Jay Squier, Managing Director at HIM, emphasizing the scale of this initiative.
HIM’s enthusiasm for the site is evident, as Hattie Charlier-Poole, Senior Development Manager at HIM, noted:
”It’s a really exciting location, we know that there’s a need for housing, the expansion of Manchester, the population increase is enormous, there’s a real need, and we are interested in land nationally and we really thought there was something positive and exciting that we could do in Salford.
While the planning application faced scrutiny from Salford councillors in July—leading to a deferral over concerns around traffic impacts, service strains, and retail losses—HIM remains optimistic. We’ve actively engaged with stakeholders to refine the plans, ensuring they align with community priorities and sustainable growth. The project not only promises economic uplift through job creation and investment but also positions Salford as a beacon of modern, accessible urban living.
As Greater Manchester grapples with housing shortages and rapid urbanisation, initiatives like Regent Retail Park exemplify Henley Investments’ dedication to bold, responsible development. We’re proud to lead this charge and look forward to collaborating with Salford City Council to bring this vision to life.