Part 1
ITEM NO.
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION
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TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR PLANNING ON 8 MARCH 2011
TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL ON 14 MARCH 2011
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TITLE: Approval of the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the Lead Member for Planning:
1. Approves the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan and endorses its use as a
material consideration in the determination of planning applications; and
2. Notes and approves the statement of consultation which accompanies this
report.
That the Leader of the Council:
1. Notes the decision to approve the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan and to
endorse its use as a material consideration in the determination of planning
applications;
2. Approves the proposed timetable and submission of the stage one HLF bid;
and
3. Authorises officers to pursue external funding bids as and when
opportunities arise.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan is to establish a broad vision for
the regeneration of the canal corridor which will help to establish it as a key part of
the tourism offer of the city. The masterplan also sets out clear guidelines and
principles to guide future development along the canal and influence the thinking of
key landowners, private developers, local businesses, residents, statutory agencies
and public sector organisations.
The masterplan has been the subject of two public consultation exercises.
Consultation on the draft masterplan took place during the period 24 November 2009
to 9 March 2010. Consultation on the revised masterplan took place between 15 July
2010 to 28 September 2010. These are detailed more fully in Annex B.
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The cost of implementing the masterplan will be in the region of £53 million, from a
combination of the public and private sector. The vast majority of this, £44.8 million,
will be delivered by the private sector. Approximately £8.6 million of public sector
funding will be required to implement the key public realm and heritage interpretation
schemes within the masterplan
Once fully established as a visitor destination the Bridgewater Canal is expected to
bring in an additional 113,000 visitors each year, generating a net additional spend
of £2.1 million per annum and creating a minimum of 86 new jobs in Salford.
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
(Available for public inspection)

Responses to Consultation – 24 November 2009 to 9 March 2010 and 15 July
2010 to 28 September 2010
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KEY DECISION:
YES
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DETAILS:
1.0
Introduction
1.1
In November 2009, the Lead Member for Planning approved the draft
Bridgewater Canal Masterplan for consultation. In June 2010, the Lead
Member for Planning and the Leader of the Council received a report
updating them on the outcome of the public consultation and proposed
changes to the masterplan.
1.2
The purpose of this report is to present the revised, final draft of the
Bridgewater Canal Masterplan for adoption.
1.3
Copies of the proposed final draft Bridgewater Canal Masterplan are
attached at Annex A. Printed copies will also be available for inspection at
the meeting. The supporting documents comprise:
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Baseline analysis (available upon request); and
Consultation Statement, being a statement of the main issues raised
in representations about the draft masterplan, and how these issues
have been addressed in the final Bridgewater Canal Masterplan.
2.0
Background
2.1
Salford has an important and often momentous industrial history. None
more so than through the story of the Bridgewater Canal, the world’s first
manmade industrial canal. The Bridgewater Canal, Worsley Delph and
Barton Swing Aqueduct are heritage firsts with international significance and
were at the heart of the industrial revolution. These developments not only
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transformed the fortunes of Salford and the surrounding areas to make it an
industrial powerhouse but set in motion pivotal changes in society, the
economy, trading, technology and transport.
2.2
The Salford West Strategic Regeneration Framework highlights the
Bridgewater Canal as one of the major underused assets in Salford West,
and the canal corridor is considered to have the potential to contribute
significantly to the local visitor economy. It is however recognised that the
corridor currently offers little to attract visitors or even regular local usage.
2.3
In June 2009 Salford City Council appointed URBED and Landscape
Projects to develop a masterplan for the Bridgewater Canal. The purpose of
the masterplan was to establish a broad vision for the regeneration of the
canal corridor and to establish the canal as a key part of the tourism offer of
the city. The masterplan also seeks to influence development along the
canal corridor, outlining broad principles for development which stakeholders
will need to consider in bringing schemes forward.
3.0
Content of the masterplan
3.1
Vision:
“To create a living canal connecting communities with a unique industrial
and natural heritage enjoyed by all”.
3.2
The key objectives of the masterplan are to:
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3.3
Improve the environment of the canal;
Make more of its star attractions – Worsley Delph and Barton
Aqueduct;
Make more of its history and industrial archaeology through
interpretation;
Provide visitor infrastructure such as cafes, toilets and visitor
information and orientation;
Provide gateways to the canal linked to parking and public transport;
Improve links to the surrounding communities and particularly the five
villages along the canal;
Identify development opportunities along the canal that can improve
the environment and increase activity;
Increase use of the water for boating and leisure; and
Package all this up into a recognisable attraction that can be
marketed regionally.
The masterplan sets out a 15-year strategy for achieving the vision and
objectives outlined above. This is based on an incremental approach of
developing the attraction and the number of visitors gradually over time,
appealing first to local visitors, before widening this to the city, then the
region and only then nationally and internationally. This will prepare the way
for major investment by putting the canal on the map and dealing with its
many failings before it is asked to step up to being a major attraction. The
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phased approach of the masterplan is summarised on page 5. It is
anticipated that once the masterplan is fully implemented it will bring in an
additional 113,000 visitors to the canal each year. This will generate a net
additional spend of £2.1 million per annum and create a minimum of 86 new
jobs in Salford.
3.4
The strategy also sets out some broad principles for development which aim
to open up the canal to and re-establish it at the heart of surrounding
communities. These are set out overleaf.
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3.5
All development should face onto the canal to increase surveillance
Development should be sympathetic to the character and heritage of
the canal
Development should improve access from surrounding residential
areas to the canal
Development in the villages should include active uses such as cafes
facing the canal
Development on the non-towpath side should allow for public access
along the canal
Schemes should seek to encourage water activities including
moorings and where possible new basins
The masterplan sets out some clear guidelines and principles to guide future
development along the canal and influence the thinking of key landowners,
private developers, local businesses, residents, statutory agencies and
public sector organisations. However, it is not the purpose of the masterplan
to allocate land for particular uses. The saved policies of the City of Salford
Unitary Development Plan continue to constitute the statutory development
plan for the city and it is only this document or its successor (documents
forming part of the emerging Local Development Framework) that can
formally allocate land for particular uses. The masterplan will, however, be a
material consideration in determining applications for planning permission.
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4.0
Summary of consultations
4.1
The masterplan has been the subject of public consultation undertaken from
24 November 2009 – 9 March 2010. Further consultation was undertaken on
the revised masterplan between 15 July 2010 – 28 September 2010.
Consultation letters, with copies of the draft masterplan, were also sent to
statutory and other consultees.
4.2
A total of 187 Individuals and organisations submitted representations within
the consultation period. All these representations have been considered. The
attached statement of consultation has been prepared, setting out a
summary of the results of the consultation and the main issues raised in
these representations and how they have been addressed in the masterplan
now proposed for adoption.
4.3
The annex to the statement of consultation sets out a detailed schedule of all
the representations and the council’s responses.
5.0
Implementation and funding
5.1
The cost of implementing the masterplan is in the region of £53 million from
a combination of the public, private and other sources. The vast majority of
this, £44.8 million, will be delivered through private sector developments.
The specific details of schemes will be subject to detailed discussions
between developers and the Local Planning Authority as schemes come
forward. This masterplan provides broad principles for development,
however, which will need to be considered in doing so.
5.2
Approximately £8.6 million of public sector funding will be required to
implement the key public realm and interpretation schemes within the
masterplan over a 15-year period. Detailed design work for the key public
realm schemes is currently being undertaken and funding bids are being
submitted as opportunities arise. The principal public funding source is likely
to be the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Of the £8.6 million of public works
£5.6 million is considered eligible for HLF funding. We will be seeking in
excess of £3.5 million from HLF. It is intended to submit a stage one HLF
application over the summer.
5.3
The council is also cultivating links to a number of external funding bodies,
including Viridor Landfill Trust with a view to securing the match funding for
the HLF bid along with funding for non-eligible HLF improvements. In order
to obtain a stage two decision from HLF, match funding needs to be secured
for the project. However, most of the smaller grant bodies require funding to
be spent within 12 – 18 months, which means we would need to apply at the
same time as submitting the stage two HLF application. The council may
therefore have to initially underwrite the match funding element of
approximately £2.1 million in order to secure the HLF funding. This match
funding would then hopefully be secured from other funding bodies once
decisions have been made, thereby reducing the risk to the council to ‘low’.
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5.4
In the current landscape funding opportunities often arise with very short
deadlines for submission. Approval is therefore being sought to pursue
funding opportunities as and when they arise, in order to try and maximise
external funding opportunities for the council.
6.0
Conclusions
6.1
The Bridgewater Canal is a key part of the history and heritage of Salford
and has the potential to be a key part of the tourism offer of the city. This
masterplan provides clear guidance to stakeholders to guide the future
development of the area and to enhance the heritage and tourist appeal of
the canal.
6.2
It is recommended that the Lead Member for Planning:
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6.3
Approve the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan (attached as Annex A)
and endorse its use as a material consideration in the determination
of planning applications; and
Note and approve the statement of consultation (Annex B) which
accompanies this report.
It is recommended that the Leader of the Council:

Note the decision to approve the Bridgewater Canal Masterplan,
(attached at Annex A), and to endorse its use as a material
consideration in the determination of planning applications;
 Note the proposed timetable for submission of HLF and external
funding bids to implement the masterplan; and
 Authorise officers to pursue external funding bids as and when
opportunities arise.
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
City of Salford Unitary Development Plan, 2004 - 2016
Salford West Strategic Regeneration Framework and Action Plan
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EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS: An Access Plan has
been produced for the Bridgewater Canal project and this plan will inform the
detailed design work currently being undertaken with regards to specific sites across
the canal. Where fully DDA access is not possible the principle of least restrictive
access will be adhered to as per the recommendations of the Access Plan, with
information being available by other means to allow people to appreciate the
heritage.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Medium – the masterplan will not be a statutory planning document and is intended
as guidance only for the Local Planning Authority and stakeholders seeking to bring
schemes forward for development.
The council may however have to initially underwrite the match funding element of
approximately £2.1 million in order to secure the HLF funding. This match funding
would then hopefully be secured from other funding bodies once decisions have
been made, thereby reducing the risk to the council to low. In order to maximise the
potential to secure external funding authority is being sought to pursue external
funding bids as and when opportunities arise.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The masterplan has been funded by the Salford West Strategic Regeneration
Framework budget.
Implementation of the masterplan will be via a combination of public, private and
other sources of funding.
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No.: Richard Lester Ext: 2129
Date Consulted: 17/01/11
Comments: The Masterplan should assist the process of determining planning
applications and reduce the risk of planning appeals.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No.: Peter Butterworth Ext: 8791
Date Consulted: 14/01/11
Comments: Significant levels of City Council funding will be needed for this project
and this will need to be taken into account when future Capital Programme
submissions are being prepared.
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OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED:
A number of other Directorates across the council have been consulted as part of the
masterplan, including Environment, Community, Health and Social Care, Education,
Chief Executives. Urban Vision also submitted comments which have been
considered in the final masterplan being proposed for adoption.
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CONTACT OFFICER: Paul Gill
TEL. NO. Ext 2207
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S):
Barton, Boothstown and Ellenbrook, Eccles, Winton and Worsley.
110222 - BCC
110222 - BCC
110222 - BCC
Masterplan Approval - Masterplan
Annex A.pdf
Approval - Masterplan
Annex B Report
Approval
of Consultation.doc
- RoD Leader.doc
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