Empty Warehouse Co-Living Bid, Salford 2026

Key Points

• Developers propose converting an empty warehouse in Salford into a co-living scheme for up to 100 residents.
• The site, located in a former industrial area, has stood vacant for five years.
• Planning application submitted to Salford City Council on March 15, 2026.
• The scheme includes shared kitchens, lounges, and private bedrooms to promote affordable urban living.
• Local residents raise concerns over parking, noise, and impact on neighbourhood character.
• Council planners to review application in public meeting on May 10, 2026.
• Project aligns with Greater Manchester’s housing strategy for brownfield sites.
• Estimated completion by late 2027 if approved, with rents starting at £800 per month per room.
• Backed by urban regeneration firm UrbanNest Developments.
• No opposition from major local businesses; support from housing charities.

Co-Living Scheme Planned for Empty Warehouse in Salford

Salford (Manchester Mirror)April 08, 2026-Developers have submitted plans to transform a long-vacant warehouse in Salford into a co-living development, aiming to provide affordable housing options amid the region’s growing demand for urban accommodation. The proposal, lodged with Salford City Council, targets a 5,000 square metre site on Regent Road that has remained empty since 2021.

What Is the Proposed Co-Living Scheme in Salford?

The scheme, put forward by UrbanNest Developments, would convert the disused warehouse into a modern co-living space for approximately 100 residents. Private bedrooms, each around 12 square metres, would feature en-suite facilities, while communal areas include three kitchens, two lounges, a gym, and co-working spaces. As reported by Elena Vasquez of the Salford Star, the design emphasises shared living to reduce costs and foster community.

Planning documents detail sustainable features such as solar panels, cycle storage for 50 bikes, and electric vehicle charging points. Access would come via a secure entrance off Regent Road, with no on-site parking proposed to encourage public transport use. The application, reference number SAL/2026/0345, seeks full planning permission and was validated on March 15, 2026.

Why Was This Empty Warehouse Chosen for Redevelopment?

The warehouse, originally built in 1965 for light manufacturing, closed in 2021 after its owner, a logistics firm, relocated operations. It has since deteriorated, becoming a local eyesore with graffiti and overgrown surroundings. UrbanNest Developments identified the site through a council register of brownfield land suitable for housing.

In their supporting statement, the developers note the location’s proximity to Salford Crescent transport links, just 10 minutes from Manchester city centre by tram.

“This project breathes new life into a forgotten asset,”

stated UrbanNest director Mark Reilly in documents submitted to the council. The move supports Salford City Council’s target to deliver 10,000 new homes by 2030, prioritising urban infill sites.

What Do Local Residents Say About the Co-Living Plans?

Residents nearby have mixed views. A petition with 150 signatures, organised by the Regent Road Residents Association, calls for rejection over fears of increased traffic and anti-social behaviour.

“We worry about noise from young professionals coming and going at all hours,”

said association chair Janet Hargreaves, as quoted by Tom Wilkins of the Manchester Evening News.

Conversely, the Salford Central Business Improvement District expressed support, highlighting potential economic benefits from new residents patronising local shops. Housing charity Shelter North West also welcomed the initiative, noting co-living’s role in addressing affordability, with average private rents in Salford exceeding £1,200 monthly for one-beds.

How Does This Fit into Greater Manchester’s Housing Strategy?

The proposal aligns with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Places for Everyone plan, which earmarks industrial sites for residential use. Salford’s local plan update, adopted in 2025, encourages co-living models to house key workers and young professionals priced out of traditional rentals.

Council officers have acknowledged the application’s compliance with policy on design and heritage, though highway concerns remain. A public consultation ran from March 20 to April 10, 2026, attracting 250 responses. The planning committee meeting is scheduled for May 10 at Salford Civic Centre.

What Are the Key Features and Timeline of the Project?

Internal layouts include 80 studio rooms and 20 larger units for shared occupancy, with ground-floor retail space for a café. Construction would phase over 18 months, starting autumn 2026 if approved, with occupancy from late 2027. Rents are projected at £800-£1,000 per room monthly, inclusive of utilities and Wi-Fi.

Environmental impact assessments confirm minimal flood risk and low carbon emissions post-retrofit. Noise mitigation includes double-glazed windows and restricted hours for deliveries.

What Challenges Could Delay the Co-Living Approval?

Highways England has flagged potential congestion on the A6, recommending traffic modelling. Heritage groups question the warehouse’s industrial significance, though it lacks listed status. Councillors from the Salford West ward have requested amendments for more family-sized units.

As covered by Rachel Patel of BBC North West, the council’s planning portal shows 12 objections and eight supports as of April 7, 2026. Decision timeline targets June 2026, with appeal possible if refused.

The story has drawn coverage across local outlets. The Salford Star’s Elena Vasquez detailed resident petitions, while Manchester Evening News reporter Tom Wilkins focused on economic upsides. BBC North West’s Rachel Patel highlighted transport issues, and the Guardian’s regional correspondent noted alignment with national co-living trends.

This development marks another step in Salford’s shift from industrial past to residential future, with stakeholders awaiting the council’s verdict.

Background of the Development

The warehouse on Regent Road formed part of Salford’s 20th-century industrial boom, serving as a hub for textile and logistics firms until globalisation shifted operations abroad. Vacant since 2021, it exemplifies Greater Manchester’s challenge of 1,200 hectares of derelict brownfield land. UrbanNest Developments, founded in 2018, specialises in such conversions, having completed similar projects in Leeds and Bristol. Salford City Council’s brownfield land register, updated annually, lists the site as “highly suitable” for housing since 2023. The co-living model gained traction post-2020 pandemic, with UK schemes growing 25% yearly per government data, driven by millennials seeking flexible, community-focused rentals.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect UK Urban Renters

Approval could offer up to 100 affordable rooms, easing pressure on Salford’s rental market, where vacancy rates sit at 4%. UK urban renters, especially under-35s, stand to gain from lower entry costs versus £1,200+ one-bed averages, potentially stabilising local rents by increasing supply. Rejection might deter similar brownfield projects, prolonging shortages and pushing prices higher. A successful rollout could model scalable housing for other industrial cities like Liverpool or Sheffield, benefiting renters nationwide through replicated schemes. Delays from objections may extend timelines, maintaining scarcity for prospective tenants reliant on shared living options.