Old Trafford development: Man United’s home to be transformed- what it means for the borough

Plans to rejuvenate the stadium have been given government backing, and things can now progress. This has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to take either the form of an 87,000 expansion of the current stadium, or a 100,000 newly built stadium.

However, it’s not just the famous old football club that will benefit from what Chancellor Rachel Reeves described last week as ‘a shining example’ of plans to promote economic growth.

Man Utd will work with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to develop plans for the regeneration of the Old Trafford area. The stadium is at the heart of the plans, but there’s a lot more authorities hope to create through it.

Multi-million pound plans to develop the wider Trafford area took a big step forward following government backing. The regeneration proposals could create around 48,000 new jobs in the borough and add £4.2billion to the local economy.

Once a consultant team has been appointed then plans can then move forward. The task force is led by Lord Sebastian Coe, the man behind the London 2012 bid, and he said that this project could be one of the biggest in Europe.

Old Trafford isn’t the only local landmark that will benefit through the project. Authorities also hope that other major sites including the Imperial War Museum and the historic Manchester Ship Canal will be given investment to be developed and preserved.

Trafford Council has now announced that it is searching for a consultant team to help develop the strategy for what is known as Wharfside Strategic Masterplan. This is hoped to deliver 15,000 new homes over the life of the project, and will also look to reduce health inequalities, supporting people out of poverty and addressing the climate crisis.

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “The Trafford Wharfside masterplan offers a regeneration vision for a hugely important area within Trafford which takes in the world-famous sporting institution that is Manchester United as well as other major sites including the Imperial War Museum and the Manchester Ship Canal.

“We are now on the lookout for a world-class consultant team to shape the vision for the area. This is a hugely exciting project and working with our partners and private developers, we will be looking to create thousands of new homes, new neighbourhoods and help create a world-class setting for the Manchester United stadium. I am delighted that the Trafford Wharfside area is the focus of this important future planning project.”