UPDATE: |Major step forward in plans to transform Old Trafford News

‘A lot of publicity has been about Manchester United’s new stadium – this regeneration will complement those plans’

Plans to transform and regenerate a sprawling area of land around Manchester United’s Old Trafford football stadium have taken a major step forward. Trafford Council has confirmed the appointment of a consortium to design a strategic masterplan.

It follows the unveiling by United in March of plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium to replace Old Trafford, with the proposals called ‘the centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area’ by the Premier League club. Images and models of what the state-of-the-art new stadium could look like were also revealed, with the plans said to have the potential to bring more than £7bn a year into the UK economy.

The bold plans for the Trafford Wharfside area were first unveiled in February last year.

The council said on Wednesday the consortium, led by architects Allies and Morrison, will ‘carry out its plan to revitalise Trafford Wharfside, leading to thousands of new homes and jobs in the area’.

The masterplan will focus on the area adjoining United’s ground, especially the waterfront opposite Media City, and was described by the council as presenting a ‘tremendous opportunity for future growth and development, as well as commercial and leisure facilities’.

Initial plans outlined a new ‘processional route’ to the stadium, north along Sir Matt Busby Way, and a major new ‘world-class public space’ framing the whole of the stadium.

A new public park is also planned and a new primary school could be built – with the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal providing a backdrop for a new community of homes, attractions, leisure and business.

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The Wharfside area – covering around 200 acres – sits on the south bank of the ship canal opposite Salford Quays, with the football ground, the Imperial War Museum North and Victoria Warehouse all lying within its boundary.

The plan said it would place nature and wildlife ‘at the heart of the vision’. Changes to the area must also ‘celebrate’ the waterfront – with the use of pontoons and piers referenced – and connect the Wharfside area to Manchester city centre, it added.

The consortium, which also includes SLA landscape, Civic Engineers and property specialists JLL, was appointed following an intensive tender exercise, said Trafford Council.

A spokesperson said: “It will work with Trafford Council alongside Manchester United Football Club, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a proposed Mayoral Development Corporation and other key partners to deliver a transformational and sustainable international destination for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

“The masterplan is aimed to be completed early next year.”

Councillor Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “The Old Trafford regeneration is one of the biggest growth opportunities in the country and will be fantastic for our borough. New homes, new neighbourhoods, new businesses, new jobs, new green spaces and new community facilities – all within walking distance of public transport.

“A lot of publicity has been about Manchester United’s new stadium – this regeneration will complement those plans, and our masterplan will be central to shaping the future of this area. We are delighted to be starting the master planning in earnest and look forward to working with the project team to deliver a comprehensive vision for the neighbourhood.”

Paul Eaton, partner at Allies and Morrison, said the Trafford Wharfside area had long been recognised for potential regeneration.

Now he said it had the opportunity to ‘become a thriving new neighbourhood’.

“Our team will shape a proposal for the area that realises this exciting potential; a sustainable, deliverable vision that integrates new homes and employment with sport, supporting Trafford’s aspirations and ambitions for the future,” he added.

“This is a huge opportunity for Trafford, for the city and for our Manchester studio. We are delighted with this appointment and look forward to working with the Council and its partners.”