£1bn Middlewood Locks regeneration secures funding for 909-home expansion

The next phase of the £1 billion Middlewood Locks regeneration has taken a major step forward after securing new funding from the National Housing Bank, unlocking the delivery of 909 new homes in Salford.

The latest government-backed investment will fund site preparation, enabling works and detailed design across a 10-acre site between Salford Central station and Manchester’s Spinningfields business district. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the first homes due to be completed by 2030.

The funding increases total lending from Homes England and the National Housing Bank to £84 million. Previous investment has already supported the successful delivery of 1,306 homes, with all earlier loans now repaid.

The new phase will be delivered across two major residential developments. Brick Fields Yard will provide 659 apartments within 27 and 32-storey towers, alongside ground-floor commercial space and landscaped communal gardens. A second development, Lockgate Wharf, will deliver a further 250 canal-side apartments overlooking a new public park and enhanced waterfront public realm.

The project represents one of Greater Manchester’s largest upcoming residential developments, creating future opportunities across groundworks, reinforced concrete frames, façades, M&E, fit-out, landscaping and public realm works.

Paul Kelly, Managing Director at Scarborough Group International, described the funding as a significant milestone in unlocking the next stage of Middlewood Locks and delivering much-needed new homes alongside sustainable urban regeneration.

A main contractor for the fourth phase has yet to be announced.