DISAPPEARING SALFORD AWARD
Goes to...
URBAN SPLASH/ALLIANCE INVESTMENTS
If you thought that last year's winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Disappearing Salford Award was a one off, when developer, Villafont, won it for re-branding Ordsall, Downtown Manchester, think again!
The controversial Urban Splash development on Springfield Lane, of 156 unaffordable apartments in three blocks rising to ten storeys, has been branded 'Uptown Riverside Manchester'...
The horrid blocks, described by Councillor Bob Clarke at the original planning meeting as 'three concrete storm clouds', are, according to the agent, Alliance Investments' website, "situated on the banks of Manchester's River Irwell" and start from £220,000 for a one bedroom flat.
Indeed, nowhere on the site does it say the development is actually in Salford... "Uptown is perfectly placed to reap what Manchester has to offer..."
Back in June, when the thing got planning permission, there was no affordable housing attached, while councillors questioned the "derisory" planning contribution of just around £1,000 per 'luxury' apartment or £150,000, with a possible clawback if it makes bucket loads of profits (see here).
Meanwhile, the rest of the Urban Splash Springfield Lane HoUSing site also avoided proper planning fees and affordable housing, and now even has a sign on the roads discouraging Salford people from going anywhere near the place, stating 'No parking or stopping at any time'.
In October, Urban Splash moved a bunch of artists into one of the houses as part of a year-long project called Tenancy, in which they will be exploring 'what it's like to live in a city negotiating rapid change' and 'who is benefitting'. They've been pretty quiet so far – maybe they're trying to work out which city they are actually in...
As usual, there were lots of nominations for this award...Runner up is developer Endeavour, which, the Salford Star revealed in July, mis-sold its Queens Terrace apartments on Great Cheetham Street West as being in Manc-land, moving Broughton to 'Manchester' (see here).
But 'Uptown Manchester' just pips the Broughton-on-wheels development for its sheer horridness...
So, ladies and gentlemen, sing 'Salford 'til I die...unless I'm re-branded' and boogie on down to Uptown Top (W)Ranking... 'Nah pop no style'...for the winner of this year's Disappearing Salford Award...
Urban Splash/Alliance Investments
If Urban Splash/Alliance Investments would like to make an acceptance speech, please use the comments box below...
See other winners of the 2018 Salford Star Mary Burns Awards...
The Donald Trump Award For Media Dissing - Charlie Winstanley - click here
Feed The Rich Award - Fred Done - click here
Universal Catastrophe Award - Conservative Government - click here
International Award - Manchester City Council - click here
Real Digital Council of the Year - Salford City Council - click here
Cuadrilla Award for Attempted Protest Stifling - Bellway Homes - click here
Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government - Salford City Council - click here
Grenfell Tower Memorial Award - Salford City Council, Pendleton Together and the Conservative Government - click here
Radio Ga Ga Nursery Award - Salford City Council - click here
Art Appreciation Award - Salford City Council - click here
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