Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 8, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet) I Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve: That Cabinet approves the Irwell River Park Connectivity and Movement Strategy and requests that is it taken into account as a material planning consideration.   The Reasons are: Once the final version of the strategy has been approved, it will become a material consideration for the City Council as Local Planning Authority.     Options considered and rejected were: 1.    Not to develop the strategy. Following a decision of Cabinet in January 2024 the Irwell City Park Planning Guidance was revoked by Salford City Council. Paragraph 5.4 of the Cabinet report identified that one of the priorities, in the context of the ICP planning guidance being revoked, was to undertake some further work to consider how the implementation of the Irwell River Park can continue to be supported. 2.    To develop the strategy as an adopted Supplementary Planning Document. Although it will not be adopted, it will not carry less weight than it if were – it will be a material consideration regardless of the approach to its approval, particularly given the processes involved in its production. Ultimately the exact weight to be attached to the IRP Strategy will be for the decision maker having regards to the specifics of a development proposal.   Assessment of Risk: Low There is little/no risk to the Council in preparing this strategy. The local plan and associated policies already provide the robustness in the Local Authority planning system.  The Irwell River Park/wider movement strategy will support these. The Strategy will be used alongside the local plan and to facilitate discussions with developers about the current opportunities to improve connectivity, and in seeking funding opportunities.   The source of funding is: N/A   Legal Advice obtained: The strategy once finalised and endorsed by Lead Member for Property & Regeneration will not become an adopted Development Plan Document. However, it will be a material planning consideration, to be taken into account when considering planning applications.   Financial Advice obtained: The Irwell River Park Connectivity and Movement Strategy will be a material consideration for future planning conditions, once approved by Cabinet from April 2025. The strategy will not have any financial implications for the Council.   Procurement Advice obtained: N/A   HR Advice obtained: N/A   Climate Change Advice obtained: The strategy objectives have been written with the need to create an environmentally sustainable area specifically in terms of how people arrive and move around the area and measures to improve climate resilience through SUDs and flood mitigation measures along the River Irwell.   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: -       Irwell River Park Connectivity and Movement Strategy -       Irwell River Park Statement of Consultation -       Irwell River Park Policy Note -       Irwell River Park EIA Scoping Document Contact Officer: Amelia Davis – Project Officer Development Team                               Telephone number: amelia.davis@salford.gov.uk (available on Microsoft Teams)   The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Growth & Prosperity Scrutiny Panel.                        Signed:         Paul Dennett                       Dated:    09.04.25                                                                           City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only   This decision was published on  09.04.25.                                          This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 16.04.25                                        unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.