Major step forward in £4.2bn project to redevelop Manchester United and Old Trafford

The Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation is being set up to acquire and develop land

Ambitious plans for the £4.2bn regeneration of Old Trafford - including a new 100,000-seater stadium for Manchester United - took a significant step forward today as council officials signalled their intention to create a new statutory body with powers to purchase land and drive the project forward.

Trafford Council’s executive committee is set to agree to consult to create a new statutory body to co-ordinate plans for the area, alongside Manchester United’s bold 100,000-seater stadium plans.

The Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation will be created by the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, in partnership with Trafford Council, to acquire and develop land and property and oversee the provision of services such as transport and power.

Following approval, a huge consultation initiative will get under way this summer with local people being asked to share their views and help shape the project, which is set to create 48,000 jobs and at least 5,000 new homes.

The 'Old Trafford Regeneration Area' is one of Europe’s most significant investment and development opportunities – with the promise to dramatically enhance the area’s economic fortunes and quality of life, according to Trafford Council officials who are now working on the finer details of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and before formally ask the Government for support and recruiting a chair to take the helm.

Coun Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “The regeneration of Old Trafford is complex and will take years to progress. The MDC will be able to drive this important flagship work forward, overseeing costs, quality and timely delivery.

“It will mean we can pool expertise, resources and powers to attract investment and support aspects such as master planning, site preparation and infrastructure developments.”

Coun Patel continued: “We will extend consultation to all residents and businesses, as well as councillors and Andrew Western MP. We want as many people as possible to get involved.”

Six weeks of consultation will take place this summer, to give people a chance to have their say in person and online. The initiative will sit within the huge, proposed Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) stretching from Salford into north Trafford. This venture, a partnership between Trafford Council, Salford City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is alsoset for approval.

Establishing the Western Gateway will attract public and private sector money, paving the way for many thousands of new homes, quality jobs and workplaces, officials say. In Trafford, the focus will include Stretford town centre and the Civic Quarter, to New Carrington, Partington and Trafford Waters.