Lancashire's dreams of keeping Test cricket at Old Trafford are still alive after Trafford Council approved their plans for a £32m redevelopment of the world-famous ground.
Although there was opposition to the scheme due to the fact it also includes a Tesco superstore being built on Chester Road, the council’s planning committee voted in favour.
Lancashire’s plans – which will be largely funded to the tune of £21m from a cross-subsidy with Tesco – will make Old Trafford one of the best Test grounds in the world and the club hope they will help bring the Ashes back to the venue in 2013 after they missed out to Cardiff last year.
Work is set to start in the autumn, subject to approval by Government North West and as long as the scheme doesn’t get called in by the Government.
“This is an historic decision for the future of international cricket in the north west,” said Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes.
“I’m absolutely delighted. It was always going to be difficult, but it means the club can now move forward in terms of regaining its Test match status or at least continuing with international cricket.
“We can get on with what we need to do to meet the requirements of the ECB. We are back on track.
“We can now press on with redeveloping the famous Old Trafford cricket ground and securing our place as one of the world’s best cricketing arenas.
“The planning committee recognised the important role the club plays in supporting Trafford’s economy. They also backed our plans to deliver a much-needed new retail offering, hundreds of local jobs, and millions of pounds in regeneration to this part of the borough."
The plans would see a new media centre and changing rooms built opposite the pavilion – which itself would be given a facelift – six permanent floodlights erected, the cricket school expanded and an increase to the Trafford Lodge hotel. Two new stands would create a capacity of 15,000 which could be raised to 25,000 for international games.
“It would be amazing to play in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford,” said Lancashire’s England bowler Jimmy Anderson. “If you look back to the Ashes in 2005, when people were queuing out the gate, it was incredible. England have been pretty successful at Old Trafford, and to play in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford would be fantastic.”
And skipper Glen Chapple added: “It’s an important day of everyone who plays cricket and watches cricket in the North West. Thousands and thousands of people here are mad keen on cricket and they can now look forward to more big occasions and more history being created at Old Trafford in years to come."
The scheme, however, did have opposition from some local retailers and residents.
Labour leader Coun David Acton said: “Stretford Mall is struggling now. A large 24-hour Tesco will absolutely kill it off and will have a massive impact on all town centres.”
And local shopkeeper Debbie Clarke told the committee: “I'd like to make it clear that I don't have any problem with the redevelopment of the cricket ground, I just don't believe the local area should have to suffer as a result of a decision to tie the grounds future to the development of a huge supermarket.”
However, after the scheme was approved ahead of a rival plan for a superstore from White City Retail Park owners Derwent Holdings, Coun Mike Whetton said: “We all want to see Lancashire redevelop. The price will be that big Tesco.”
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Dave Kinkladze, Worsley (11/03/2010 at 23:56)
Whether the new Tesco opens or not, people will still go to Stretford 'Mall'. The belief that big nasty superstores kill off their neighbours is a myth - the Trafford Centre hasn't killed off Manchester City centre.
Get on with it Lancs.. and lets see a stadium worthy of the crowd that crammed in to the 2005 Eng v Aus test.
pigroast, manchester (12/03/2010 at 01:29)
wooooooooh Lanky Lanky, People's Republic (12/03/2010 at 06:52)
How about we carry on this winning run and bring the Champo back to Old Tafford this year?
Chapman (12/03/2010 at 10:52)
Jon Nicholas (12/03/2010 at 12:04)
See this from http://www.nomegatesco.org.uk/:
Tesco already have planning permission to build a smaller store on the site, which at 48,000 sq. ft is a similar size to the new Sainsburys in Urmston and far bigger than Morrisons in Chorlton. Tesco have had this permission for over 5 years without action, so how much does Tesco really care about investing in our community?
A planning inquiry in 2006 upheld Trafford Council's refusal to grant permission to build a store of 88,095 sq. feet because of the excessive negative effect it would have on local shops and on our environment. Despite this, Trafford Council are now intending to sell public land to Tesco, the public money from which will then be handed to Lancashire County Cricket Club (a private members club), instead of directly benefiting local residents and local business.
Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells (12/03/2010 at 12:32)
'which will then be handed to Lancashire County Cricket Club (a private members club), instead of directly benefiting local residents and local business'
A 5 day test match will bring plenty of business to hotels, bars, restaurants etc in Manchester. I am no fan of the big supermarkets nor the commercialisation of sport, but for Old Trafford it was a question of develop or die as an international arena, and if the only way of funding it was through Tesco, then better to bite on that bullet.
Paul Smith (12/03/2010 at 12:50)
At the end of the day, there's two arguments here.
First, does the area need a MASSIVE Tesco, of course it doesn't. There's many decent supermarkets close by (and plenty of decent local businesses who'll never compete).
Second, if Tesco is needed and wants to buy some land off the council, should the council be giving that sort of money to a private business? If there's £20m of tax-payers money going spare...there's much better things to spend it on than supporting a multi-million pound business.
I wouldn't dare make accusations on here but you only have to read between the lines to see where the true benefit for this deal lies.
Patrick Sudlow (12/03/2010 at 13:26)
Stuie72, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 14:02)
Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells (12/03/2010 at 14:27)
'JohnnieJohn - question for you. If Manchester United asked for £20m of taxpayers money, would that be OK? They bring in 77,000 people every couple of weeks, spending money in the local economy etc....which is your argument for giving the money to LCCC.'
The two OTs are not comparable. A football match lasts 90 minutes, a test match up to 5 full days. Which means totally different accommodation and catering etc needs. Having said that, I believe the original cantilever stand at the football ground built for the 1966 world cup was subsidised by government money. The government certainly supported the 2012 olympics which will cost taxpayers millions if not billions (not supported by me) and is supporting the 2018 world cup bid which would also require infrastructure funding. How much did the commonwealth games cost?
Ultimately if Manchester wants to attract top class sports events, some form of tax funding is required.Provided this does not lead to elitist ticket prices and corporate entertaining out of the reach of most ordinary sports fans, I think this is an acceptable use of public funds.
KpestX, Droylsden (12/03/2010 at 15:27)
Knowsleyman, Paphos (12/03/2010 at 15:30)
TESCO will be paying a lot of money for the land. They will also subsidise LCCC and will pay even more money to build the new superstore.
When the new store is built ther will be hundreds of new jobs created and the shopping population will have the benefit of lower prices.
A win win situation all round.
Paul Smith (12/03/2010 at 18:03)
You're telling me that Manchester United don't bring £6m a year into the local economy? Of course they do.
I'm not actually arguing that the money should be given to Man Utd - I'd think that equally scandalous. I'd prefer it if they just used the tax-payers money to sort the area out (if they want to subsidise something, subsidise a proper town-centre for Stretford rather than that joke that's the Arndale, attract restaurants, bars, decent shops etc...in the long-term, that'd reap enormous rewards for the area).
Knowsleyman - it's not even close to a win win.
Lots of local businesses will close, costing jobs.
Additionally, the new supermarket will be placed on a majorly congested road into Manchester that really doesn't have adequate room for expansion.
The supermarket is 140,000sq ft. That's 3 times the size of the one they originally proposed and 50% larger than one that was turned down because it breached god knows how many planning and local development guidelines.
If this doesn't get called in by central government, there's money changing hands somewhere.
LA Blue, Los Angeles (12/03/2010 at 18:04)
markyboy, manchester (12/03/2010 at 20:17)
the losers in this are the residents of stretford/gorse hill along with all the jobs lost when stretford arndale closes.
hope all the cricket fans & LCCC are happy about that??
Hands of Stone, Southside, Manchester UK (12/03/2010 at 21:15)
pigroast, manchester (12/03/2010 at 23:47)
Good call mate, this should be flagged up as unusual. The very fact that they made submission after submission should set alarm bells ringing. Trafford council must be desperate for money to allow this to happen. The council has announced they are now running short of swarfega.
Gorse Hill Resident (13/03/2010 at 12:32)
Residents of the area have not been consulted and that is a fundamental requirement of planning law. Trafford Council and their planning department should be thoroughly investigated for what is so clearly and disgracefully a corrupt process.
If cricket and LCCC was so popular, the grounds would generate it's own money for development, as all other private businesses have to. If LCCC had an effective business model it would not need a taxpayers' handout. If LCCC wasn't run by those with antiquated ideas of business, they would have made better use of the previously and very recently redeveloped facilities that another poster on here was so right to highlight.
Where are all the members when money is needed - what's the matter, spending it on another Merc or need to get the electric front gates fixed on your Cheshire home?
What a joke all round.
STRETFORDIAN, TRAFFORD (13/03/2010 at 13:15)
StretfordBLUE in America, Born a BLUE and Forever (13/03/2010 at 13:23)
STRETFORDIAN, TRAFFORD (13/03/2010 at 17:25)
Twistinmymellons, Mancunia (13/03/2010 at 18:16)
markyboy, manchester (13/03/2010 at 20:19)
13/03/2010 at 13:15
sorry to disappoint you in your tirade and chucking your toys out of your pram against me being an outsider, i am a born and bred stretfordian myself. as for family history my family go back to 18th century in the area.
gorse hill does need regeneration, but you are also well aware it will be to the detriment of other residents, even more so jobs,
always 2 sides to an argument.
Red Bear, Heaton Park (13/03/2010 at 20:42)
Hands of Stone, Southside, Manchester UK (13/03/2010 at 23:04)