Langworthy HMR, Salford
Communal remodelling of Victorian terraces

Innovative developer Urban Splash have recently averted the demolition of over 300 Victorian terraced properties in Salford following the collapse of the housing market in the Langworthy area. Funded by the Government’s Housing Market Renewal programme the proposal is to remodel a complete block of traditional ‘Coronation Street’ style terraces. ‘Outrigger’ kitchen and bathroom extensions into yards are to be removed along with the back alleys to create continuous strips of communal garden. ‘Privacy buffer zones’ will be planted to delineate each property’s private terrace. The roofs will also be completely replaced.

Notably the streets are adjacent to Langworthy Park, better known locally as Chimney Pot Park, a small but popular recreational park built on the in-fill site of a former reservoir. Its planting is typical of Victorian parks in the city, with ornamental and exotic shrubs and trees laid out within a manicured landscape. There have been recent experiments with reduced mowing of amenity grassland to allow wildflowers to grow.

Sources:

1. Birch, A. Salford Sommersault, Building Design, 28th November 2003
2. Wildlife Trusts, Salford Phase I Habitat Survey, 2000-2001