Acoustics Building
We are delighted to unveil plans for our new Acoustics building which will offer world class research and teaching facilities, as part of the Crescent Innovation project. The building will meet high sustainability standards and is a key component in the University of Salford’s ambitious Campus Connectivity Plan, which connects industry, education and innovation.
The proposed development
The Acoustics Building will provide the University with state of the art testing facilities and will house the teaching, research and commercial activities of the University of Salford Acoustics Department. The proposed scheme, if granted permission, will be 1,300sq. m, with a mixture of single and triple height spaces internally. Part of the Crescent Innovation project, it will develop a brownfield site and play a key part in the regeneration of our campus.
The new building will help us deliver world class research to support companies, charities and the public sector to create a better sounding future.
Timescales
Consultation for the building took place at the start of November 2024, with the reserved matters application anticipated to be submitted in Winter 2024 and a decision likely in Spring 2025. If granted, work is anticipated to start on site in Summer 2025 and completed in Spring 2027.
Your questions and feedback
You can get in touch with the project team by emailing Estates-CCP@salford.ac.uk, with the reference ‘Acoustics’ in the subject line.
Why do we need a new Acoustics Building?
The proposed development is part of the university's ever-growing Campus Connectivity Plan, which connects industry, education and innovation. The Acoustics Building will be located in the newly approved Crescent Innovation district. Crescent Innovation will build on existing world-class research and development capabilities at the university, helping to drive further economic growth in the city and wider region and facilitating enhanced links between academia, research, and business.
Spanning 29 acres between Broughton Road East and University Road, Crescent Innovation has regeneration at its heart and will be linked to the wider masterplan by Salford Rise – a near five-acre podium which will span Frederick Road. Laying the foundations for connectivity and collaboration, Salford Rise will act as a key gateway between our campus and the wider innovation zone.
The building will be 1,271 sq.m and 16.5m in height, which is roughly the height of three, two-storey houses. It aims to provide a new dedicated facility to house the teaching, research and commercial activities of the University of Salford Acoustics Team, which are currently located within the Newton Building on Peel Park campus.
When does the planning application start?
Several surveys and assessments have been carried out as part of the draft proposals to ensure the scheme responds positively to the local context. Discussions have taken place with the Local Planning Authority and other relevant consultees.
The university is preparing a Reserved Matters Application for submission in December 2024, of Plot A6 in the centre of the Crescent Innovation North area.
When will the building works take place?
It is anticipated that the Reserved Matters Application will be submitted by December 2024 with a decision expected in April 2025. If planning approval is granted, work is expected to start on site in Summer 2025 and the building completion is anticipated in Spring 2027. The dates are to be confirmed at this stage.
Where will the building be located?
The project is part of the newly approved Crescent Innovation district, which lies just north of our Peel Park Campus. The development has been proposed by the Crescent partnership comprising of ECF, Salford City Council, and the University of Salford.
The proposed scheme, if granted planning permission, will be located on an underutilized brownfield site on Lissadel Street formally housing an industrial unit which was demolished by Salford City Council in 2023.
What are we doing to reduce the disruption/impact?
The site is located on an industrial unit on Lissadel Steet which was demolished by Salford City Council in 2023. Regeneration of this space will support the local economy, helping to bring business and investment to the area. All efforts will be made to reduce the disruption and impact to residents, businesses, colleagues and students.
Where can I study across campus?
Our students are our top priority but, along with all construction, some disruption is expected. While we are not anticipating much noise disturbance to our university community due to the site location, there are lots of study spaces across campus, along with quiet places to work.
Study spaces across campus can be found: Student Spaces on Campus - Made in Salford
You can find a list of quiet spots around campus: Campus quiet spaces and where to find them - Made in Salford
What will the building look like?
Please find an illustrative visual of the front entrance above, as designed by Morgan Sindall and Sheppard Robson.
How will biodiversity be affected by the build?
Despite the site’s previous industrial use, it currently includes a significant amount of soft landscaping and has eight mature trees that will need to be removed. The design team has thoroughly explored options to enhance biodiversity on-site, such as planting larger trees, expanding hedgerows, installing bird and insect boxes, and increasing soft landscaping areas in place of hard surfaces. These efforts aim to create a positive ecological impact, supporting local wildlife habitats and enhancing the green infrastructure in the area.
In line with our sustainability objectives, it is important that all our developments have a positive impact (net gain) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before. All our latest buildings on campus have had a significantly higher net gain than the 10% imposed by statutory planning and we will endeavor to do the same for the Acoustics Building.
How sustainable will the building be?
The proposed scheme is dedicated to enhancing the student experience while supporting the university’s sustainability and carbon reduction goals. The university is committed to achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and aims to exceed current Building Regulation requirements by improving thermal performance. We are also integrating low-energy and low-carbon technologies to minimize energy consumption and the building's carbon footprint.
To support this initiative, the building is all electric and the University plan to install 640 square meters of photovoltaic (PV) panels. Our PV strategy focuses on maximizing the number of solar panels on the available roof areas, with the main volume roof designed to accommodate the highest possible amount of PV installation.
Will parking be affected?
There will be a single accessible parking space (with EV charger) to the southern edge of the site, along Strawberry Hill. Whilst there is no on-site parking currently provided as part of the scheme, long-term a transport hub is expected to be delivered as part of our Campus Connectivity Plan to serve the site.
The principal contractor, Morgan Sindall will be managing contractor parking during construction. The exact location for this has not yet been decided, however it will be ring-fenced to a designated area only.
Who do I contact about Salford Rise?
Salford Rise is a separate project and not part of this planning consultation. If you have queries related to the Salford Rise project, please contact salfordrisesupport@ericwright.co.uk