Salford has seen several major building projects in recent years with a lot of structural glass involved. This may be every bit as true of the latest major project, which has just received planning approval.

The scheme in question is the £2.5 million, 100-hectare Crescent Masterplan is a partnership between Salford City Council, the University of Salford and the English Cities Fund, aiming to revive an area that lies adjacent to Salford University and Salford Crescent railway station but has not been fully developed.

It will include over 3,000 homes and a million square feet of commercial space, as well as a ‘multi-modal transport hub’ that will encompass the existing station and other forms of public transport, plus university development space and public realm.

Drawings by architects Muse indicate that the mixed-use scheme will use a high volume of glass, with this included in large entrance atriums in commercial buildings to what appear to be glass balustrades running the length of a parkland bridge that will measure 90 metres in length and serve pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge will be the first element of the new development, with Make architect Oliver Hall explaining why it was given priority. Noting that “there will be a massive change in this area in the coming years”, he observed that “It’s a real testament to the aims of the joint venture team that they saw the benefit in establishing this element first.”

What it will not feature is the kind of towering glass-fronted skyscrapers seen in other parts of Salford, although glass shop fronts are likely to be an element of the development as local retail facilities will be needed to provide conveniently located stores for residents of the thousands of new homes, as well as those working, studying and travelling.

The announcement comes just days after plans were announced for the expansion of Salford Crescent Station itself, with planning permission being sought for a third platform.