Tourism

Adopted Unitary Development Plan

Download the area diagram
(PDF - 475Kb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Introduction (Part I)

9.1 Tourism is one of the country's fastest growing industries. There are clear opportunities for the people of Salford to share in the economic, environmental and social benefits to be gained from the development of tourism in the city. These benefits include employment creation and income generation, environmental improvement and the provision of social, community and leisure facilities.

9.2 Salford's strengths lie in its rich industrial heritage characterised by a range of key assets and attractions. The city's well developed motorway and airport connections make these assets easily accessible to a large population and the development of an international route network at the airport will help to encourage new tourism development. The development of existing and new assets and attractions is a key aspect of the plan's overall strategy.

9.3 The two main markets in Salford are business tourism and visits to friends and relatives. Business tourism is developing with the upgrading of hotels and greater use of Salford University helped by a revitalised Regional Centre and the success of Salford Quays. The council wishes to see more hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities, both to develop existing markets and to encourage the day trip, short holiday and overseas visitor markets. It is however, concerned to ensure that such developments do not detract from the amenity of the areas in which they are located and that facilities such as the local road network and car parks are able to cater for increased numbers of visitors.

Strategy (Part I)

9.4 The plan embraces the city council's "Visitor and Tourism Strategy" prepared in association with the North West Tourist Board (NWTB) and approved in 1987. The strategy aims to develop and promote the city's key tourism assets such as the Crescent area and Salford's museums, Worsley Village, Salford Quays, Castlefield and the canal system. In addition, tourism development along the River Irwell - Ship Canal Corridor is endorsed by broadly adopting the strategy set out in the Manchester, Salford, Trafford Strategic Development Initiative (SDI) - A Framework for Tourism Development (1989). The SDI has the support of the three local authorities, Trafford Park and Central Manchester Development Corporations, the English Tourist Board (ETB) and the NWTB. The SDI is intended to promote the Regional Centre as a major visitor destination by guiding development and investment.

9.5 The city council is also conscious of the need to raise the public's awareness of and improve access to the city's attractions and in particular to improve and promote the city's image. The upgrading of rail, road and water corridors is creating a better environment throughout the city and changing the face of Salford. Complementary improvements to public transport provision and support facilities such as car parks can also assist in rendering the city's tourism assets more accessible and attractive. Recreation facilities such as country parks can also complement established tourist attractions and encourage further visitors.

9.6 The UDP's policies are directed towards:

• encouraging tourism to the benefit of the city and its people
• improving visitor attractions and encouraging support activities  
• developing tourism potential in both urban and rural areas

Priority will be given to tourism development in the Investment Priority Area and Canal Corridor of Opportunity, particularly at the following locations:

• the Crescent area and Salford's museums  
• Salford Quays  
• Castlefield and the River Irwell Corridor  
• Worsley Village and  
• the Bridgewater Canal

9.7 The strategy is consistent with Strategic Planning Guidance which indicates that council's should safeguard, enhance and encourage the use of tourism assets and support the Mersey Basin Campaign.

9.8 In addition to specific proposals outlined in this chapter, other sites offering tourism development potential, notably Exchange Station, are considered in Chapter 13 which deals with the Central Salford area.

Developing Key Assets

Policy (Part I)
TR1 - The city council will encourage the provision of tourist facilities within the city and, in particular, at the following locations:

   i.  the Crescent area and Salford's Museums  
   ii.  Worsley Village and the Bridgewater Canal  
   iii.  Salford Quays and  
   iv.  Castlefield and the River Irwell Corridor (within the Regional Centre)

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to build upon Salford's existing strengths and to concentrate resources to maximum effect. This also recognises the greater benefits that can be attained by grouping attractions. Salford's existing attractions include:

• Salford Quays  
• the Crescent  
• Castlefield Urban Heritage Park  
• Ordsall Hall  
• Clifton Country Park  
• Barton Aqueduct  
• Buile Hill Mining Museum  
• Worsley Village and Woods  
• Worsley Old Hall  
• the Canal System  
• and the Croal Irwell Valley

In addition, the proposed creation of Country Parks, based on the reservoir and surrounding lands at Blackleach, (R11/2) and on land to be reclaimed at Lumns Lane, Swinton, (Policy R11/3, Slack Brook), will significantly augment the existing attractions.

Improving Visitor Attractions

Policy (Part I)
TR2 - The city council will seek to improve its visitor attractions by:

   i.  upgrading its museums and galleries  
   ii.  carrying out environmental improvements that enhance the image of Salford and contribute to the attractiveness of the city's assets  
   iii.  improving visitor facilities such as car parking, vehicular access and signposting and  
   iv.  marketing and promoting Salford's tourism assets

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to raise the attractiveness and general visitor awareness of Salford and so improve visitor numbers and spin-off benefits for the local economy.

Linkages to Other Attractions

Policy (Part I)
TR3 - The city council will seek to establish links with attractions in adjoining Districts, in particular, with Manchester City Centre, Castlefield and Trafford Wharfside. The city council will seek to develop links between attractions by maximising accessibility to and use of its inland waterways, namely the Manchester Ship Canal, the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal, having regard to safety considerations. Physical links to other districts, via the city's Strategic Recreational Routes, will also be developed in accordance with policy R7, in order to connect tourist attractions as well as for other purposes.

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to take advantage of the wider tourism potential in the Greater Manchester area. The improvement of Salford's inland waterways will build upon existing assets and provide physical as well as thematic linkages between Salford's visitor attractions. In so doing, the city council recognises that the Manchester Ship Canal and other waterways are commercial waterways and that access to these must be guided by safety considerations.

Developing Support Facilities

Policy (Part I)
TR4 - Developments and services which support tourism and are appropriate to their proposed setting will be encouraged to locate in the city and, in particular, to relate to the priority areas outlined in policy TR1. Supporting activities which will be encouraged include:

1. conference and exhibition facilities  
2. hotel developments and other types of tourist accommodation  
3. cultural and entertainment facilities  
4. restaurants, public houses and associated speciality retailing and  
5. major sports and recreational facilities both for participants and spectators

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to encourage the development of Salford's tourism potential, encourage a range of attractions and facilities that will help support tourism assets and, enhance the range and amenities available to the local population, provided they do not conflict with other policies in the Plan.

Protection of Existing and Potential Assets

Policy (Part I)
TR5 - The city council will protect existing tourism assets from encroaching and/or unsympathetic development and potential tourism interest will be a material consideration in dealing with development proposals.

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to protect the character of the city's tourism assets, their settings, and sites for future development and promotion.

Countryside Tourism

Policy (Part I)
TR6 - The city council will encourage the development of tourism in Salford's countryside where this supports, and does not conflict with, other policies and proposals of this plan.

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

This policy seeks to promote the use of Salford's countryside and to support visitor attractions where this does not conflict with the protection of the environment. The countryside lends itself to a range of informal pursuits, and these should be encouraged. Further guidance may be found in the Recreation Section of this plan.

Sites for Tourism Development

Policy (Part II)
TR7 - The following sites have been identified for tourism development:

1. Wilburn Street (1.8ha)

Land between the River Irwell and Ordsall Lane - Wilburn Street (Regent Road - Inner Relief Route) is allocated for mixed development which will be led by tourism and leisure uses.

2. Pier 8, Salford Quays (5.2ha)

Land at the head of Pier 8, Salford Quays, known as "Salford Wharf", will be allocated for the development of a range of performance, leisure and tourism facilities, together with supporting developments which might include offices, housing and speciality retail uses.

3. Boothstown Basin (1.9ha)

Land at Boothstown Basin, Salford, on the Bridgewater Canal will be allocated for mixed tourism and leisure uses.

Reasoned Justification (Part II)

1. Wilburn Street

The site's frontages on to Regent Road and the River Irwell, its proximity to the Regional Centre, and its water basin feature make it ideal for leisure and tourism uses. Planning permission has been granted for a budget hotel on the Regent Road frontage. Land to the rear would be suitable for development as a major visitor attraction, and/or a pub/restaurant, but offices or speciality retailing may be acceptable as part of a development package. The site is easily accessible to Ordsall Lane and Salford Quays and to tourist and leisure uses within the Regional Centre via the Irwell Riverside Walkway.

2. Pier 8, Salford Quays

Performance and media uses of a regional and national standing will be accommodated in the `Lowry Centre' at Salford Wharf which will provide the centrepiece of a mixed development including specialist shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions, office development and housing. Salford Wharf has a unique and prominent waterside location within Salford Quays, which has been successful in stimulating economic regeneration and employment opportunities.

3. Boothstown Basin

The site is situated to the west of the city on the Bridgewater Canal. The proposal is part of a larger mixed development which will be led by a marina development with a pub/restaurant and associated housing. The development will be physically linked to other tourism and leisure uses on the canal and the River Irwell in accordance with policy TR3.

NEXT: Recreation

This page was last updated on 22 October 2009