A ‘neglected’ part of Salford could be about to change

Plans to bring one of Salford’s historic buildings back into use could be the start of big changes in a “neglected” part of the city, a councillor has said.

Pendleton House on Broughton Road has been empty for more than ten years, but Salford City Council is set to sign off on plans today to turn it into 88 new apartments for social rent. Planning permission for the work was granted in October and the council said commercial terms on a deal to lease the site to housing company ForLiving for 250 years have been provisionally agreed.

All that remains is for the agreement to get the thumbs up for Salford's deputy mayor at a council meeting today (November 25). Pendleton House was built in 1936, but planning documents say it was last used in 2011 before it was left in its current state.

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The building is not listed, but was first used as a public assistance office, before being turned into a coroner's court and later used as council offices and by the NHS. Local councillor John Warmisham supported plans to bring the building back into use, and said it could be the starting point for work on some of the other historic buildings in the area.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m absolutely happy with the new flats, it’s the gateway into Charlestown and there are buildings there that are a mess, it’s been left for years.

“It’s great to see something happen there and hopefully it’s going to be the start of regeneration in the area.”

Mr Warmisham said the Pendleton Cooperate and Maypole buildings, which are both grade II listed opposite Pendleton House, should be top priorities for future regeneration schemes.

The Pendleton Cooperate building was first opened in 1887 according to Historic England, when it was used for shops, warehousing, assembly rooms and offices.

The Maypole, which opened around 1860, is a gothic-style former pub.

Coun Warmisham said the area needs a masterplan to plot future regeneration projects.

“It’s been neglected that area, but the new flats could start something,” he said. “It’s a fantastic community and they deserve something better.”