David Lewis Playing Fields, Wallness Lane, Salford
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the University of Salford’s consultation on draft proposals for the provision of new sports pitches and upgrades to existing sporting facilities at David Lewis Playing Fields, Wallness Lane, Salford.
The University of Salford in collaboration with its Crescent partners Salford City Council (‘SCC’) and English Cities Fund (‘ECF’) is currently preparing a full planning application for new sports pitches and associated infrastructure at David Lewis Playing Fields.
Before the planning application is submitted to SCC in early 2026 we would welcome feedback from University students and staff together with the local community and other key stakeholders on the draft proposals.
All comments we receive will be carefully considered as we develop and refine our final plans.
Where are the David Lewis Playing Fields?
As shown below, the David Lewis Playing Fields are located to the north of the University of Salford’s Peel Park campus adjacent to the River Irwell.
Aerial view of the David Lewis Playing Fields
The Playing Fields are bordered by Frederick Road to the north; the River Irwell and footpath to the east; University Road and Peel Park Campus to the south, and Wallness Lane to the west.
What is the current sporting provision?
The Playing Fields are used by University sports teams and local football teams. The current sporting facilities include:
2 no. full-sized grass football pitches measuring 96m x 71m and 90m x 54m respectively; and
1 no. full-size Artificial Grass Pitch (“AGP”) including fencing and floodlights, built in 2020;
Whilst the playing pitches are generally well used there are opportunities to enhance them to further increase participation and expand the number of different sports which can be played.
In addition to existing sporting facilities, the Playing Fields also contain informal grassed areas, mature trees along the boundary and a locally listed Lodge Cottage (ref. 106 ‘Lodge at David Lewis Recreation Ground’).
Existing pitches
Vision for the Future – Sports and Physical Activity Strategy
The University of Salford is committed to increasing participation and engagement in sports and activities by students, staff and the local community and believes that the power of sport can unlock potential, bring people together, inspire and enrich lives.
As part of the University’s Sports and Physical Activity Strategy, plans are being progressed to deliver enhancements to the existing sports provision at the David Lewis Playing Fields.
The proposed upgrades will allow for the pitches to be used more of the time and for different sports creating greater opportunities for University students and staff, local schools and community sports teams to benefit from the enhanced facilities.
The development is part of the University of Salford’s Campus Connectivity Plan (CCP), a major redevelopment of its teaching spaces and public areas on its Frederick Road and Peel Park campuses. Driven by the University’s aim to unite the worlds of education, industry and innovation, the CCP is the most ambitious development of its estate to date. Sustainability is a key priority, it fully supports Salford City Council’s mission to make the city fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive.
Wider Context
The Playing Fields form part of the wider Crescent Development Framework (‘CDF’) which was adopted by Salford City Council in January 2021. The area falls within Zone 2 ‘Parks and River’ as shown here.
The CDF notes that the Playing Fields together with Peel Park, the Meadows and the River Irwell act as “an important ‘green lung’ for the surrounding area, providing valuable recreation space and ecological habitats”. It notes that “existing green space will be retained and improved and connections into and out of this Zone will be enhanced for the benefit of existing and future residents and users”.
As shown below there are opportunities to better connect the Playing Fields into the University Campus as well as the River Irwell, Salford Rise and Innovation Zone North.
Extract showing potential pedestrian and cycle connections
Extract from the CDF Illustrative Masterplan for Zone 2 ‘Parks and River’
Extract from the CDF Illustrative Masterplan for Zone 2 ‘Parks and River’
Developing the Proposals
In developing the scheme proposals, a series of technical assessments have been undertaken by the design team to understand the constraints and opportunities at the Playing Fields. Key considerations which have been factored into the design including:
· Flood risk and drainage
· Ecology and biodiversity net gain
· Residential amenity including noise and lighting
· Crime prevention and enhanced security
In Autumn 2025 the University of Salford engaged with Officers from SCC to discuss the proposals. Additionally, the team also engaged with Sport England who in turn consulted with relevant sporting governing bodies including the Football Foundation, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League, England Hockey and England Athletics. Feedback received from Sport England will be incorporated into the forthcoming planning application.
A social value questionnaire was also circulated locally by Inspiring Communities Together asking a series of questions about participation in sport and use of the Playing Fields.
The pre-application engagement undertaken to-date has informed the draft proposals which are summarised below.
What is proposed?
As shown on the plan below, the following upgrades to the Playing Fields are proposed as part of the initial phase of upgrades:
A new 3G all-weather football pitch
A new 2G all-weather sand pitch for hockey, tennis and recreational 11-a-side football
New modular changing facilities
Accessible parking spaces and new vehicular and pedestrian access
Improved lighting, signage, sustainable surface water drainage measures and landscaping
Illustrative Proposed Site Plan
Sports Pitches
The new 2G/3G sports pitches will be built in accordance with relevant Sport England and governing body standards in terms of surface, means of enclosure and floodlighting, whilst also being mindful of surrounding residential properties, vegetation and fauna. Further details around specification of the pitches, floodlighting and means of enclosure will be provided within the full planning application.
Interventions proposed to the remaining grass pitch will include improved drainage so that it can be used more regularly during the winter months and re-lining of the pitch.
Changing Facilities
The current changing facilities contained in the University’s Sports Centre are not considered to be suitable for expanding sporting provision or community outreach. As part of the initial phase of the scheme it is therefore proposed that modular changing rooms with toilet facilities are provided adjacent to the existing 3G pitch to provide additional capacity for University and local community teams to use the pitches.
There are future ambitions to provide a high-quality purpose-built pavilion building containing viewing areas, changing facilities and event space with kitchen and bar facilities on the footprint of the temporary changing rooms. Whilst this will not form part of the initial full planning application, provision has been made for it as part of the current proposals, future proofing its future delivery as part of a separate planning application to be submitted in due course.
Car Parking
No general car parking is proposed for the additional sports pitches, with the exception of accessible spaces, however, the Playing Fields are situated in a highly sustainable location to the north of the University and can be reached by walking, cycling and public transport. Should car parking be required then visitors can use the pay and display Lowry Car Park in the Peel Park Quarter of the campus.
Access
A new vehicle and pedestrian access is proposed from University Road to the south of the site, which will provide access to service the changing area and, in time, the future pavilion building. A small number of accessible spaces will also be accessed from the new entrance.
Additionally, pedestrian accessibility across the Playing Fields will be enhanced with new sensitively design lighting installed to improve safety and security.
Sustainable Drainage
Whilst sports pitches are considered to be ‘water compatible’ development in national planning policy guidance and therefore acceptable in areas of flood risk, additional sustainable drainage measures are proposed to reduce the impact of the proposals in flood risk terms. A new outfall is proposed to connect to the River Irwell which will slow the flow of surface water run-off and remove any pollutants before discharging into the River at agreed rates.
Landscaping
The proposed landscape scheme aims to improve pedestrian permeability both within the Playing Fields and to the surrounding area including the footpath along the River Irwell, Wallness Lane and the University campus to the south. Existing footpaths will be improved with new lighting to make them more welcoming and user friendly. New wayfinding and signage will also be introduced.
Existing mature trees along the boundary of the Playing Fields will be retained where practicable with the exception of those required for the new access/ drainage infrastructure. Where trees are to be lost then replacement planting will be carried out. New native planting will be introduced elsewhere to enhance biodiversity, being mindful of Sport England guidance.
What will the hours of operation be?
It is anticipated that the proposed 2G and 3G all weather pitches will have the same hours of operation as the existing 3G pitch in the interest of minimising impact on the residential amenity (i.e. noise and light). The proposed opening hours are as follows:
· Monday to Friday: 9am to 10pm
· Saturday: 9am to 5pm
· Sunday: 9am to 5pm
The grass pitch will continue to operate as it currently does.
Benefits of the proposals
The proposals will generate a number of benefits locally including:
Investing in University sporting facilities that will enhance participation among students, members of staff, Students’ Union and the local community across a range of sports.
Enabling increased use of the sports pitches with more slots available for teams, especially over the winter months.
Creating direct and indirect construction jobs during the build period using local supply chains where practicable.
Strengthening local partnerships through continued engagement with local schools and community groups.
Promoting youth engagement by expanding learning and sports programmes for young people.
Enhancing the environment at the Playing Fields through increased native planting, including new trees, and other ecological provision together with sustainable drainage measures to reduce surface water flood risk.
Improving accessibility and safety through new/ enhanced footpaths, lighting and landscaping.
Futureproofing the Playing Fields to allow for a purpose built new pavilion building as a later phase.
What Happens Next?
Thank you for taking time to visit our consultation website today.
If you would like to discuss the proposals with members of the project team we will be holding an in-person event in the heart of the campus on Thursday 12th February 2026 between 16:00 and 19:00. The event will be held at:
Chapman Building, The University of Salford, Salford, M5 4QW
Your views are important to us and we would be grateful if you could provide feedback in-person, by filling out the online questionnaire or by writing to us using the below details by Wednesday 18th February.
Complete
The online feedback form
Write
David Lewis Playing Fields, Asteer Planning, Calico, 53-55 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HQ
Following the conclusion of the community consultation, the University of Salford will review all comments. A response to the consultation will be included within the Statement of Community Involvement to be submitted with the planning application.
The University of Salford are aiming to submit a full planning application later in 2026. Once validated, the Council will commence its statutory 21 day consultation on the planning application where local residents, businesses and other consultees will have an additional opportunity to comment on the proposals.