“This could be the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in our country.”
New plans have been unveiled for a new, state-of-the-art 100,000 seater Old Trafford. The new Manchester United stadium could be at the centre of a major regeneration programme.
A model of what the rebuilt stadium and the surrounding area could look like was revealed yesterday at the Labour Party Conference.
Both Gary Neville and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, were in attendance to try to convince the government to help with the planning of the project.
If a new stadium is to be rebuilt next to Old Trafford, a freight train terminal will need to be removed, something which United’s advocates are trying to convince the government to help remove.
However, the new plans have reaffirmed that, while the club want a public-private partnership to focus on infrastructure and wider regeneration, a new stadium will be entirely privately funded, with no public money going to a new Old Trafford.
The regeneration of the stadium and surrounding area is set to be worth £ 7.3 billion each year to the UK economy while creating some 92,000 jobs.
Furthermore, the project could see 17,000 new homes built around the area and attract almost two million visitors per year.
However, there is still no guarantee the club will knock down the current Old Trafford, with a renovation project still on the cards if they cannot get the freight terminal moved.
Andy Burnham expressed his sympathy for fans who want to keep United’s historic home, however, he focused on the huge benefits that could come with a new, cutting-edge stadium and area.
The Metro Mayor said: “This could be the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in our country.”
“I think this could be the single most significant football location in the world.
“I think it would mean the northwest of England has the best football infrastructure of anywhere else on the planet.
“It would create a development on the west of Greater Manchester to balance what Manchester City have done on the east of Manchester.”
After describing the benefits the project could bring he finished by saying, “What’s not to love?”
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend and former captain Gary Neville offered his thoughts on the potential new stadium.
He said: “We’re talking about an opportunity that can regenerate the area in Trafford, but also correct what is a struggling transport network in the north of England.
“I’m actually not fussed if whether we have a new stadium or whether we have a refurbished Manchester United stadium.
“Whether it’s a Tottenham stadium that’s brand new or whether it’s a refurbished Real Madrid-type stadium, I know that Manchester United will get a great stadium.
“The most important thing for me is the regeneration of the wider area and making it look like a world of opportunity.”
For the time being, plans continue to be drawn up and consultations are ongoing.
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