Second co-living tower with 97 homes planned in Salford as part of 'landmark' scheme

A 'landmark' ten-storey co-living tower comprising 97 homes is in the pipeline for Salford. Developer CCL Media City Ltd has lodged a planning application for the proposed structure at the junction of South Langworthy Road and Eccles New Road, by the Langworthy Metrolink stop.

The site is presently occupied by the vacant Hollywood office building, which would be razed to make way for the new development if it gets the green light. This application comes on the heels of a previous proposal for the wider site that was rejected by the council in August 2023 for lacking 'acceptable' levels of amenities and for 'failing to respect the character of the local area' with the design.

The developer now says these concerns have been rectified in the revised submission. According to the planning documents, the co-living concept targets students or young professionals aged 18 to 30, offering private apartments with communal living and dining areas on each floor.

Despite Salford Council approving its first co-living tower in September, some councillors voiced scepticism about the lifestyle, equating it to "more George Orwell than living."

Salford is grappling with significant housing challenges and a surging demand for accommodation, exacerbated by a burgeoning student body at Salford University, currently numbering around 30,000 and expected to rise in the coming years, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In an attempt to tackle its housing issues, Salford council has embarked on a strategy of constructing more social housing and devising regeneration plans for the city. This includes the ambitious £2.5 billion Salford Crescent masterplan, which aims to deliver thousands of new homes.