Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework

Salford City Council and Manchester City Council have developed a joint Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) to transform the Strangeways and Cambridge areas. This plan addresses long-standing challenges such as counterfeit crime, poor-quality buildings, and flood risk, while creating opportunities for new homes, businesses, and green spaces.

A plan for the future

Salford City Council and Manchester 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 sets 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

In 2023, a multi-disciplinary team, led by Avison Young, was 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 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.

In November 2025, the SRF was taken to both council’s respective Cabinet and Executive Committees for endorsement. The SRF now forms a material consideration when future planning applications are received for the area.

The SRF proposals

The Strangeways and Cambridge SRF presents a high-level vision for the area, to support businesses in the area to grow and thrive, attracting new enterprises, and developing significant new housing and commercial space – alongside a major new 60 acre urban park.

The SRF estimates the wider area could accommodate 7,000 new homes across seven neighbourhoods that incorporate sustainability, active travel and new green spaces. Around 1.75m sqft of commercial space could be created or improved, potentially providing 4,500 new 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 SRF can be found here.

A full version of the 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 on the draft SRF. Feedback from this public consultation was analysed and changes were made to the SRF where necessary before the final version was approved.

Email

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 

News

Strangeways and Cambridge: Salford and Manchester councils to make decision on vision for a thriving, greener future

Salford City Council and Manchester City Council are set to make decisions on an ambitious new framework. Papers have been tabled which set out a bold vision for the regeneration of the Strangeways and Cambridge area – unlocking its potential to become a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable extension of the city centre.

Consultation begins around the long-term regeneration of the Strangeways and Cambridge neighbourhoods

Ambitious proposals could see 7,000 new homes built across seven distinct neighbourhood areas, which could support 4,500 jobs. 

Salford and Manchester present draft proposals for major Strangeways and Cambridge regeneration

Salford City Council and Manchester City Council are working in collaboration on the ambitious long-term regeneration proposals for the Strangeways and Cambridge areas ahead of public consultation.

This page was last updated on 29 January 2026