Pioneering Crescent Innovation plans approved

Our plans to bring forward Crescent Innovation – tabled by the Crescent partnership comprising ECF, Salford City Council, and the University of Salford – have been approved.

A pivotal element of the wider £2.5bn, 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan, the scheme comprises 933 new homes, 1.7m sq ft of new commercial innovation, academic and research floorspace, active ground-floor space, and a new movement hub, along with significant improvements to public spaces.

Creating a high-quality innovation ecosystem around the University of Salford, Crescent Innovation will build on existing world-class research and development capabilities; help drive further economic growth in the city and wider region; and facilitate enhanced links between academia, research, and business.

Spanning 29 acres between Broughton Road East and University Road, Crescent Innovation will be linked to the wider masterplan by Salford Rise – a near five-acre podium which will span Frederick Road. Laying the foundations for connectivity and collaboration, Salford Rise will act as a key gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and the wider innovation zone.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said:

“With our Crescent partners – ECF and University of Salford – we are pushing ahead with our vision to create world-class research and development facilities that local people and businesses can benefit from. 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 am delighted to see that this important planning application has been approved and look forward to seeing our vision delivered on the ground.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, Professor Nic Beech, commented:

“This is a major milestone in our shared mission to transform Salford into a global hub for innovation and groundbreaking 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.”

Max Bentham, Development Director, said:

Crescent Innovation forms one aspect of the Crescent masterplan being delivered by our JV, ECF, in partnership with Salford City Council and the University of Salford. It will bring together industry, education, and the local community by delivering more than 3,000 homes, 1m sq ft of offices, retail, leisure, a new multi-model transport hub, and vast areas of green space. The site is located within Salford’s Innovation Triangle, which is made up of Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, the University of Salford, and Salford Royal Hospital.

The go-ahead 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.

ECF is our strategic joint venture with Legal & General, one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and major global investor, and the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England.