Old Trafford stadium project could be 'catalyst' for Salford's regeneration

Rebuilding Old Trafford stadium could become a ‘catalyst’ for a huge regeneration scheme in Salford, according to town hall bosses.

Proposals that could see millions of pounds pumped into the area and create thousands of new jobs have created excitement locally. Council chiefs have approved plans for a new mayoral development zone, which will be led by Salford council, Trafford council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

This scheme would push forward new development in the western part of the region, known as the Western Gateway, which refers to the area surrounding the Liverpool Road and M62 corridors and along the route of the Manchester Ship Canal.

For Salford, the move may offer major benefits with the council predicting it could create more than 5,000 jobs and provide a £6.4m cash injection through business rates.

At the latest town hall meeting in Salford Civic Centre, city mayor Paul Dennett said: “It wasn't that long ago when people didn’t want to invest in Greater Manchester. Actually people would go to work in the city and they’d leave the city, there wasn’t a nighttime economy. Then what happened was people took a great interest in GM and we do have investment now.

“It’s not just about the decision for Old Trafford and the future of the stadium. But inevitably that decision has become a catalyst for a much bigger decision and much more.”

The Western Gateway plans would create up to 511,000 sq m of new employment space which involves land at the council-owned Salford Community Stadium based in Eccles by the M60.

Separately, Trafford council is looking into plans for a mayoral development corporation specific to Old Trafford and Trafford Wharfside, with the potential for a future rebuild of