The massive regeneration of the Old Trafford area will go ahead whether Manchester United opts for a new stadium or a refurbished home, Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed.
The announcement comes a week after the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force concluded that redevelopment of Manchester United's home ground could increase its capacity to 87,000, while a new stadium could accommodate 100,000 fans.
The mayor has previously expressed his vision to transform the area surrounding the club's home into a 'mixed use' district, complete with apartment blocks, shopping centres, and new public transport stations. Now he has confirmed that the redevelopment of the surrounding land will proceed regardless of whether the club opts for a new stadium or refurbishes the existing one.
His office has called the project 'the biggest sports-led regeneration scheme since the London 2012 Olympics'. To facilitate this, a 'Mayoral Development Corporation' will be established to 'develop land and bring forward new infrastructure', according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
This means the redevelopment has become a top priority for the mayor. In total, six 'growth locations' have been identified by officials, which, according to the mayor, could 'add an extra £13 billion a year to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy'.
The Mayor pledged: "Our plan will deliver urban regeneration at a pace and scale not seen before in my lifetime and rebalance the rewards of growth across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ," he added. "It will create tens of thousands of much-needed homes and high-quality jobs so all our residents can live good lives.", reports .
Six key areas have been earmarked for growth:
- The ‘North east growth corridor’, where Atom Valley will be built.
- ‘Airport and southern growth corridor’, including development in Stockport and Wythenshawe town centres.
- An Eastern growth cluster’ linking ‘key development opportunities in Ashton Moss, St. Petersfield, and Ashton town centre’.
- A ‘Central growth cluster’ hoping to create more homes and 90,000 new jobs in the city centre.
- ‘Western gateway’, including efforts to redevelop Old Trafford, Carrington, Trafford Waters, and Port Salford.
- ‘Wigan and Bolton growth corridor’, with 12,000 new homes alongside a new health campus connected to Royal Bolton Hospital.
According to projections, just one of these zones could yield 48,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes, and inject £4.2 billion into the local economy. Although development won't be limited to these designated growth areas, they are expected to contribute significantly to the target of 75,000 new homes by the end of the decade.
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