Manchester United have joined forces with local authorities on a "strategic partnership" to explore the potential for a new or revamped Old Trafford to ignite a transformative regeneration of the area.
Launched in March, The Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which boasts World Athletics president Lord Coe as its chair and includes ex-United full-back Gary Neville, is believed to be focusing its discussions more on erecting a new 100,000-capacity stadium than on redeveloping the current site. A definitive decision on the preferred route, however, is not anticipated until later in the year.
Insiders linked with the task force have previously indicated to the PA news agency that the ambitions for the project extend well beyond just constructing a new ground, claiming that pursuing such an initiative would culminate in the most ambitious regeneration project in Europe.
On Monday, it was announced by the club that Manchester United would form part of the advisory group examining the potential influence of a new or renovated stadium on wider social and financial revival. Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are key players in this new partnership.
An independent director will spearhead the team, which is expected to work in concert with both the task force and the ongoing Trafford Wharfside redevelopment endeavour.
Lord Coe added: "The objective of this once-in-a-generation project is not only the development of a world-class stadium for the north of England, but also to ensure that this brings broad social and economic benefits to the local area and surrounding region.
"There is a huge opportunity to connect Trafford Wharfside regeneration with the ongoing growth of neighbouring Media City in Salford, and Greater Manchester's Western Gateway and Central Growth Cluster plans, to create a project of national significance. The tripartite advisory team will help fully unlock this incredibly exciting potential."
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Greater Manchester has a strong claim to be the biggest footballing city-region on the planet. Few places come close to matching our heritage and the global impact of our clubs and our culture.
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"The future of Old Trafford is the next chapter of that story, and we have a chance now to make sure it's written properly."
Coun Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration at Trafford council, : “We have ambitious regeneration plans for the Trafford Wharfside area. Our plan is for up to 5,000 new homes in the area, new opportunities for retail space and better connections between Trafford Wharfside, Salford and Manchester city centre.
"Trafford is proud to be the home of Manchester United, we already attract thousands of visitors every year, this transformational change will make it the perfect visitor destination for new businesses to invest in. We want Trafford Wharfside to be nationally recognised as a place which is dynamic and attractive for residents and businesses, so I look forward to working closely with our partners and local residents to realise our shared goal of transforming the area for everyone.”
Outlining the financial aspect of the project, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said in February that the regeneration project, centred around a new stadium, was projected to cost around £2billion.
Ratcliffe, who sees the potential for a stadium to rival Wembley in the north, has previously suggested that the project should receive some funding from the taxpayer, saying in February: "Where do you have to go if you get to the semi-final of the FA Cup and you're a northern club? You have to schlep down to London, don't you?
"People in the north pay their taxes and there is an argument that you could think about a more ambitious project in the north which would be fitting for England, for the Champions League final or the FA Cup final and act as a catalyst to regenerate southern Manchester, which has got quite significant history in the 海角视频."
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