Salford City Council and Manchester City Council are collaborating on a joint commission to develop a Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the combined Strangeways and Cambridge regeneration area with the aim of reimagining areas that have long been affected by counterfeit crime, poor quality built environment and flooding issues. This work will build upon previous strategic work and take into consideration existing SRFs and Development Frameworks within Manchester and Salford to address the wider area holistically, taking account of the known issues.
Located adjacent to each other, the Cambridge and Strangeways areas lie on the fringes of the Regional Centre and within the Greater Manchester Central Growth Cluster where demand for both homes and commercial space is high. The combined area of 320 acres has the potential to deliver meaningful change over the next 20+ years with significant numbers of jobs, homes and inclusive growth for the people of Salford and Manchester and to add value to the existing residential communities and businesses in and around both areas.
A plan for the future
Salford City Council want to ensure that change across the area is positively managed and supports the long term resilience of the place. It is important therefore that there is a clear plan in place.
The framework will set out how the area could develop in the years ahead, including:
- How issues such as flood risk can be best managed
- What types of industries and businesses we want to attract to the wider area
- Where new homes could be built, the type of homes, and the height of buildings
- Where new green space and public realm could be created
- How people will travel to, through and from the area, and how they can move easily to and from the city centre
A multi-disciplinary team, led by Avison Young, has been appointed to draw up a Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework that will guide the transformation of the neighbourhood over the next decade and beyond.
The design team have worked with both councils to develop the draft SRF, which has undergone public consultation. During this process, local people, businesses and other stakeholders were invited to give their thoughts and ideas about the plans.
The SRF will be taken to both council’s respective Cabinet and Executive Committees for endorsement in late 2025. Once endorsed, the SRF will form a material consideration when future planning applications are received for the area.
The draft SRF proposals
The draft Strangeways and Cambridge SRF presents a high-level vision for the area, building on the work of the Operation Vulcan policing operation, to provide a platform for legitimate businesses to grow and thrive, alongside a major new urban park, significant new housing – including affordable homes – and significant commercial and employment opportunities.
The programme of investment estimates the combined development areas could see up to 7,000 new homes across seven distinct ‘neighbourhood’ areas, increased commercial floorspace of around 1.75m sqft, and the regeneration could support an additional 4,500 jobs.
The key themes of the SRF include:
- Business and employment: Increase business and employment opportunities – supporting ongoing economic growth in both Manchester and Salford.
- Green and blue infrastructure: Create a network of green spaces and celebrate the River Irwell – including the creation of a large new city centre park (working title: Copper Park) - and respond to flood risk .
- Movement: Prioritise a ‘people first’ approach to the regeneration, including active travel while carefully managing parking, servicing and delivery requirements.
- Heritage and culture: Celebrate the existing architecture and heritage buildings in the area as part of the comprehensive regeneration plans.
Executive summary
An executive summary of the draft SRF can be found here.
A full version of the draft SRF, and supporting documentation, are available to download from the download section of this page.
How to share your views
A programme of public consultation took place from Wednesday 26 March to Monday 26 May 2025. Feedback from this public consultation will now be analysed and changes made where necessary. Once finalised the documents will be presented to each council to formally review and approve later in 2025.
You can log onto strangewaysandcambridgesrf.info to read more about the SRF.
You can also get in touch with each council via email:
- Salford City Council: cambridge@salford.gov.uk
- Manchester City Council: strangeways@manchester.gov.uk
Downloadable documents
- Strangeways and Cambridge draft strategic regeneration framework (Adobe PDF format, 13.1mb)
- Strangeways and Cambridge draft economic study (Adobe PDF format, 11.7mb)
- Strangeways and Cambridge draft development flood risk management proposals and justifications report (Adobe PDF format, 31.6mb)
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
This page was last updated on 7 October 2025