Leading investor-developer Bentry Capital has acquired Irwell Gardens in Salford, a 3-acre brownfield site; with a GDV of £80 million, the new waterfront development will deliver 100 modern townhouses and 100 apartments across two phases, adding another key northern site to their growing £500 million (GDV) residential portfolio across the UK.
Located off Regatta Street in Salford and fronting onto the banks of the River Irwell, the vacant site has been acquired for £12 million. There is consented planning permission for Phase 1 to deliver 50 three- and four-bedroom townhouses. Phase 2 will see a further 50 houses alongside 100 apartments complete the new community, with the planning application to be submitted next year. The townhouses will each have their own private garden, with landscaped gardens and a pathway connecting to the river, with prices to start from circa £395,000.
Construction will be led by Mellior Group, Bentry Capital’s experienced in-house construction arm, with a construction cost of circa £35 million. Phase 1 will begin construction in Q1 2026, with an 18-month construction programme. Mellior Group will be instrumental in applying for and securing planning permission for Phase 2, which will have a two-year construction programme once greenlit. Phase 1 sales are anticipated to begin H2 2026, with Savills the preferred partner in the region.
The acquisition follows Bentry’s regional success with nearby Willow Court, a newbuild scheme of 119 apartments, located just five minutes’ drive away. The final collection of homes has now been released for sale, with local owner-occupiers due to move into their new homes in January. Mellior Group has overseen every detail of the scheme’s construction, delivering high-quality homes in a timely manner.
Irwell Gardens is in a prime position to capitalise on the ongoing regeneration of Salford’s waterside. It lies one mile from Salford Quays, and just four minutes’ drive from Salford centre. It is well located for accessing nearby Media City (2.45 miles) for its diverse collection of bars, cafes, restaurants and retail opportunities, alongside the University of Salford.
Irwell Gardens is positioned opposite the site of a tragic Lancaster bomber crash during World War 2. On the 30th of July 1944, a brand-new Lancaster bomber of the Royal Air Force’s 106 Squadron crashed into the riverbank, killing all seven crew onboard and two civilians. The bomber was returning from an aborted mission to bomb German positions in Cahagnes, Normandy, in support of Allied ground troops, where dense cloud made it impossible. Forced to circle overhead, it suffered catastrophic damage from anti-aircraft fire. On return, the pilot attempted to land in the nearby open playing fields near the River Irwell in Pendlebury but tragically hit the riverbank instead. The Salford community commemorate the fallen servicemen each year.
The approved Irwell Gardens scheme reintroduces the historical terrace pattern of traditional nearby houses, with modern architecture, such as sawtooth rooftops, inspired by the industrial heritage of the region. Providing a mixture of three- and four-bedroom homes, the new development will balance a high quality specification with flexible living accommodation.
David Cain, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Bentry Capital says: “Mellior Group is excellently placed to lead the construction of Irwell Gardens and we look forward to starting on site in the new year. Despite the wider market challenges, we have delivered premium quality homes at nearby Willow Court and this trusted, experienced team will be put into action on Irwell Gardens to bring this vision to life.”