Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet)   I Councillor Jack Youd, Deputy City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby: Approve the selection of Muse as the strategic regeneration partner for the development opportunity in Eccles. Approve the selection of Muse as contractual developer partner for Eccles. Approve the future conditional disposals of land at Eccles subject to completion of a satisfactory Development Proposal Notice Authorise the Executive Director for Place and City Solicitor to finalise and enter into legal arrangements as set out in the OPA between the Council and Muse, following consultation with Lead Member of Finance, Support Services and Regeneration.  The Reasons are: Eccles is a priority for the city identified in the Corporate Plan with a commitment to develop a long term plan of Eccles Town Centre. This approach will deliver against this commitment and provides a long term partner who is committed to delivering generational change.  The Strategic Regeneration and Growth forum has been set up to accelerate development in Salford and includes Homes England and GMCA, alongside the first two Strategic Regeneration Partners, Peel and Muse, who have a clear track record of delivering transformational regeneration projects over a long period of time within the city. Muse through their submission, have demonstrated a track record and a future commitment to transform Eccles in the way that the community and the city council have set out in the Eccles Vision.  The response exhibits considerable experience and expertise to deliver high quality responses across all the criteria that the council has identified as priorities, including an undertaking of exemplar Social Value outputs.   Full governance structures will be established with an executive steering group and a working group, further decisions will be brought at key milestones to Property and Regeneration before the drawdown of land.   Options considered and rejected were: A variety of options were considered including direct procurement of services &  contracts. The agreed route through the forum, utilising arrangements via the OPA, ensures momentum is kept, with both cost and time efficiencies.   Assessment of Risk: Low – The risk to the Council is considered low.  The response submitted by Muse forms the basis of an initial agreement that will allow the SRP the confidence to progress the opportunity presented with a view to advancing an initial phase against the wider scheme.    Future phases will require an extensive list of documents that will be assessed to confirm that the proposed development is realistic, fit for purpose and deliverable.  Phase conditions and overage provisions will be applicable, where agreement will be made for an appropriate return, reflective of a market rate, recognising the risk profile of the scheme.   The Council will not be obliged to sell any phase to the SRP unless the SRP has first satisfied the relevant phase conditions before the longstop date set out in agreed Phase Contracts.   The source of funding is: There are no direct financial implications to the council. Muse have access to their own Pre-Construction working capital for planning and construction phases.  Detailed phase funding will come forward with that phase drawdown. A Development Trust Account will be set up to cross subsidise less profitable schemes.    Legal Advice obtained:   The OPA sets out a framework for dealing with regeneration opportunities within Salford.  The first opportunity to come forward is in respect of Eccles Town Centre.  The selection of Muse will (following the satisfaction of various conditions) lead to a land disposal of the first phase.    The Legal Services team at Manchester City Council will continue to support the Council with the preparation and completion of an appropriate form of phase contract and giving effect to the recommendations as set out in this report.   Financial Advice obtained: The Cabinet report details the request to appoint Muse as strategic regeneration partner for Eccles Town Centre.   There are no direct financial implications in engaging with Muse. As the delivery partnership progresses and development proposals are brought forward through masterplanning, the financial implications will be reviewed on a proposal by proposal basis.   Procurement Advice obtained:   The appointment of Muse as the selected partner is in line with the Growth and Regeneration Partnership agreement.   Climate Change Advice obtained: Muse has demonstrable experience of building sustainable homes.  Their submission refers to delivering, where possible, a Passivhaus approach.  This will ensure low carbon, climate resistant high quality homes, resulting in a reduction in bills for new residents, as well as contributing to the Council’s aspirations on reducing carbon and being net zero by 2038.   The enhancement of the existing green space is also recognised as an opportunity to improve the quality of the urban environment.   Active travel is also seen as a priority to connect active travel routes to transport hubs.     Together with Salford Royal Hospital the new Eccles Town Centre redevelopment offers an opportunity for the development of a low carbon heat network, this will be explored with Muse.     Climate change implications will be assessed in further detail as later phase contracts and considered.   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: Eccles Vision   Contact Officer:  Kurt Partington                           Email via teams: kurt.partington@salford.gov.uk   The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Growth & Prosperity Scrutiny Panel.                          Signed:       Councillor Jack Youd           Dated:      09.07.25                                 Deputy City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only   This decision was published on  09.07.25                                            This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 16.07.25                                                   unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.