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.
Bristol's Cheese Lane Shot Tower once among city's 'most polluting' now targeting net zero
A Grade II-listed Bristol office block that was once one of the most polluting buildings in the city is on course to achieve a net-zero target after securing funding to help cut its emissions. The Cheese Lane Shot Tower, home to charity the Workforce Development Trust, has been a distinctive feature of Bristol’s skyline for decades. The building, near Temple Way, was built as the headquarters of the Sheldon Bush and Patent Shot Company - manufacturers and suppliers of lead shot. It opened during the late 1960s as a replacement for the original 18th century lead shot tower in Redcliffe. Lead shot was manufactured in Bristol until the 1990s before it was banned due to environmental concerns. Following Sheldon Bush’s eventual closure, the 142ft tower was empty until it was converted into offices around the turn of the millennium. John Rogers, the chief executive of The Workforce Development Trust, which supports the NHS and other frontline public services develop and maintain a sustainable workforce, describes the tower’s recent carbon cutting overhaul as “quite the turnaround”. He said: “It is an irony that a building which at one point was producing a cocktail of toxic chemicals causing untold environmental damage can now be held up as a symbol for a much cleaner, greener future and economy for the city.” With the support of a Green Business Grant from the West of England Combined Authority, the building has been fully upgraded and retrofitted with a range of carbon reduction measures, including low-energy LED lighting and solar panels. A total of £2m has been made available for businesses across the region to help cut emissions, with applications open to firms until March next year. Dan Norris, mayor of the West of England said: “It’s great to see our Green Business Grants make a real impact on an iconic piece of Bristol’s skyline. Cheese Lane is a towering example of how my Mayoral Combined Authority is helping local businesses harness solar power.” The Workforce Development Trust is targeting net zero by 2035. Mr Rogers added: “By sharing our slightly quirky journey, we’re hoping that it will help to inspire other small charities and businesses in the region to seek out the support they need to reduce their carbon emissions."
Footasylum expands presence at Merry Hill
High street fashion brand Footasylum has expanded its presence at the Merry Hill centre in Dudley. The move has more than tripled its footprint at the retail hub after relocating from a 3,000 sq ft unit to a 10,000 sq ft unit. The upsized store has features including a mobile payment system, new digital screens and a refreshed fit-out alongside an expanded selection of products across all categories. Shannon Osman, head of retail at Footasylum, said: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newly expanded Footasylum store at Merry Hill. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. "Over the past several years, Merry Hill has proven to be an excellent location for our brand and we've developed a strong base of loyal customers and have established ourselves as a well-known brand in the West Midlands. "We're thrilled to welcome customers to our enhanced store experience, showcasing our even bigger and better range of products from the world's leading footwear and apparel brands." Alistair Winning, asset manager at Merry Hill's manager Sovereign Centros, said: "Merry Hill is a centre where brands not only succeed but thrive, exemplified by the expansion of Footasylum. "This year we have driven record levels of brand investment, with Footasylum now sitting among dozens of leading names that have both committed and recommitted to the destination, demonstrating Merry Hill's transformation and catchment strength." This latest letting follows recent deals with XF Gym and Australian electronic and home product retailer Harvey Norman.
Holiday Inn proposes major redesign for Hull property
Holiday Inn has lodged plans for a revamp of their hotel at Hull Marina. The proposals, submitted to Hull City Council, outline changes to several areas of the hotel, including the bar and restaurant area, conference facilities, and parts of the building's exterior. The aim is to enhance the visual appeal of the approach to the 100-room hotel. The modifications are planned in conjunction with the A63 improvement works, due for completion in May 2025. Due to these changes, the Eastern approach to the hotel has been eliminated, meaning vehicles will now only be able to access the hotel from the West. However, pedestrians can still reach the hotel from the East and city centre via the Princes Quay Bridge. Upgrades will be made to the existing outdoor seating and furnishings, parasols, and glazed screens along the boundary line with planters to match dockside architecture. The plans also reveal the hotel's intentions to remove the fitness suite and meeting room provision and replace the current glazed balconies. Major improvements are also planned for the reception and walkway into the hotel. The hotel's courtyard is also set for a makeover, including enhanced lighting and landscaping, and the installation of a decked terrace, reports Hull Live.
Vacant former shop in city centre to be converted into flats
A vacant shop in Chester city centre is set to be transformed into apartments. The former Sail and Ski store on Queen Street will be converted into six flats, following approval from Cheshire West and Chester Council. The ground floor of the building will undergo conversion, with a first-floor extension also being added to accommodate the two-bedroom self-contained flats. The Sail and Ski store, which had been at the property since 2014, shut its doors last year, reports Cheshire Live. One objection was received from a neighbour, citing concerns over 'residential amenity of the occupiers of the dwelling to the rear'. In a report recommending approval, case officer Ed Maddern stated: "The residential amenity impacts incurred by way of the shorter separation distance than 13 metres from habitable room windows to blank elevations have been noted." He further added: "The re-use of this building and subsequent provision of six new dwellings in a sustainable location carry significant benefits having regard to the aims of the Local Plan and particularly to the benefits of reusing previously developed land and providing housing in sustainable locations. It is also considered that there would be no other obvious way to retain and convert this building without similar impacts being incurred to residential amenity." "It should be noted that the existing area is already densely built-up and achieving the separation distances in relation to the reuse of existing buildings as set out in the local policy can often be difficult with this type of development. On balance, it is considered that the benefits of the proposals outweigh the harm identified."
Devon recycling firm moves to new Exeter head office
A Devon waste and recycling firm has moved its head office to Exeter's Greendale Business Park as it looks to expand its operations. DCW said the move would reduce its environmental footprint and position the firm closer to parent company SUEZ, which is also based on site. The company was previously located at the Enviro Hub in Marsh Barton. There will be 15 staff and a fleet of 34 trucks based within the business park, with DCW and SUEZ sharing office and disposal facilities for waste segregation and processing. Grant Scott, general manager at DCW, said: “Our move to Greendale marks a significant step in our continued growth. It allows us to strengthen our operations while maintaining the local, reliable service we’ve built our reputation on. We’re also proud to contribute to reducing our environmental footprint through more efficient logistics and transport routes.” DCW said the business park's proximity to the M5 would also allow for quicker access and more streamlined operations. While DCW will operate primarily from Greendale, the company will retain a presence at Lee Mill Industrial Estate in Plymouth and Thorveton Road MRF at Marsh Barton, Exeter, it added. The move comes a year after DCW was acquired by Berkshire-headquartered SUEZ, which employs over 6,000 people, operating across over 300 sites.