Salford sets benchmark for inclusive development with award-winning social impact guides

The awards celebrate excellence in environmental, social and governance practices, and the judging panel of industry leaders were impressed by Salford’s innovative approach. Their series of social value guides for Eccles, Swinton, and Pendleton aim to help developers and investors deliver projects that benefit all residents and create lasting positive change. They represent a first-of-its-kind commission, a bold and ambitious step of a local authority to place communities at the heart of regeneration.

Developed by Savills Earth, these guides are the result of an extensive local needs assessment and community engagement process in partnership with Salford CVS. This involved over 300 residents, 61 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, and local councillors. The guides provide practical insights into each area’s unique strengths, challenges, and specific opportunities.

Each guide sets out clear approaches for embedding social value throughout the development lifecycle - from design and construction to occupation - ensuring projects generate economic, social, and environmental benefits. Tailoring social impact initiatives to each community’s unique needs and aspirations ensures better outcomes which include:

• Creating jobs and skills opportunities
• Improving health and wellbeing
• Strengthening community integration and resilience

Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, this initiative reflects Salford’s commitment to tackling inequalities and improving access to opportunities for all. It builds on The Salford Way, the city’s blueprint for inclusive economic growth.

Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, Jack Youd, said: “We are honoured by this recognition which reflects the dedication of our teams and partners in making a real difference to the lives of our residents. Social value is at the heart of everything we do, and these guides provide a framework for developers and investors to help us achieve our vision of a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all.”

“Our mission is to create a brighter future for everyone in Salford, and that starts with listening to our residents and understanding their needs. We’ve worked closely with communities and voluntary, community, and social enterprise groups to co-produce place-based guides that are deeply rooted in local strengths and challenges.

“We’re proud of our track record and the progress we’ve made in embedding social value into every aspect of our regeneration plans but we know there’s always more to be done. With these guides, we’re setting a new standard for delivering social value for our communities and showing how development can meaningfully support residents.”

Olivia Sutcliffe, Associate Director, Savills Earth, states: “Salford’s leadership in embedding social value at the planning stage sets a new benchmark for ethical, inclusive development. This scalable model rooted in collaboration, accountability and long-term stewardship offers a blueprint we hope to see other local authorities adopt."

Salford is one of the first councils to embed social value into its Local Plan and is nationally recognised for its progressive planning policies and partnerships. Its procurement approach includes a 15% social value weighting in contract awards, helping to tackle poverty and reduce inequalities.

The social value guides are available on the council’s website for developers, investors, and contractors working in Salford towns to ensure that their projects align with the city’s goals of inclusive growth and community benefit.

Each town has its own guide which can be viewed from the council’s website - Swinton, Eccles and Pendleton.