Lancashire Cricket Club and Trafford Council have revealed transformational plans in the initial phase of the development of the new Civic Quarter
Trafford Council and its partners have taken a major step forward in the transformation of the area around the Town Hall and surrounding buildings into a new Civic Quarter.
The Civic Quarter masterplan covers a 120-acre site taking in the Town Hall, Lancashire Cricket Club, and the former Kellogg’s site including the University Academy 92 (UA 92) campus, stretching up to the A56/Chester Road and White City retail park.
The council’s proposals for the area include building a new leisure centre; an improved public realm, opportunities for new homes and offices and improved cycle and pedestrian routes.
Proposals also include the possible development of a new public piazza and ‘processional route’ linking Lancashire Cricket Club with Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. The strategic vision is being created with consultancy team Planit-IE, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Avison Young.
Lancashire Cricket Club also announced it is progressing plans for further significant development at Emirates Old Trafford alongside the council’s developing proposals.
The new 4,850-seater stand, which replaces the existing Red Rose Suite, is set to feature a pitch-view suite, enhanced Members facilities, a heritage centre, ticket office and retail shop which will face directly on to Brian Statham Way. It will take the capacity of Emirates Old Trafford to 26,700, making it the largest cricket ground outside of London.
Also included in the Club’s plans is an extension of the existing Hilton Garden Inn hotel due to the continued success since opening two years ago.
The plans have been created alongside CHROMA Consulting, BDP, Marston and Grundy, Planit-IE, Virtual Planit, Gardiner & Theobald and Paul Butler Associates.
David Hodgkiss OBE, Lancashire Cricket chairman, said: “The new stand, which will replace the Red Rose Suite, will complete the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford which is now an award-winning, world class and all-encompassing stadium.
“Lancashire Cricket Club is committed to ensuring Emirates Old Trafford is one of the best places in the world to watch and play cricket, both at a domestic and international level and the new stand, which includes a pitch-view suite, will further enhance the facilities for Lancashire Members. It will transform that area of the ground and will make Emirates Old Trafford one of the largest cricket stadiums in the country.”
The UA92 higher education establishment, which was an important first element to the development of the Civic Quarter, opened on the former Kellogg’s site in September and has taken on its first cohort of students. The next stage of development involves proposed plans for the remainder of the site which is part of a joint venture between Trafford Council and Bruntwood.
Leader of Trafford Council, councillor Andrew Western, said: “We are really excited about these recent developments – the establishment of a Civic Quarter presents a fantastic opportunity to further develop local amenities, improve community use of the area and completely transform our public spaces. It aims to create a fantastic place for those who live and work here.
“The people of Trafford are at the centre of these plans becoming a reality. We will consult with residents every step of the way as we continue the journey to creating a vibrant and amazing Civic Quarter.”
The vision for the redevelopment of the wider area, known as the draft Civic Quarter Area Action Plan, is also gathering pace and residents will be consulted on the proposals in early 2020.
