Trafford Council has unveiled the Wharfside Regeneration Masterplan, a comprehensive vision to transform the Old Trafford area into a 'world-class place to live, visit and work'. The plan, described as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity', is catalysed by the proposed new 100,000-seater Manchester United stadium but extends far beyond the football club's development.
Key figures and vision
The masterplan promises around 15,000 new homes and 48,000 new jobs, alongside a possible new train station, extensive green spaces, and community facilities for eating, drinking, shopping, and leisure. Council leader Tom Ross emphasised the transformative potential: 'What other local authority wouldn't tear their right arm off to have the opportunity to be able to create something like this? We will make Trafford Wharfside a world-class place to live, visit and work.'
Benefits for existing residents
Ross, who lives in the area, stressed that the regeneration must work for current residents as well. He said: 'It isn't something that stands as an island separated from what's going on in the rest of the borough. We want to make sure that we've got good access to healthcare and education provision.' He added: 'Most importantly for me, I want to make sure that the young people have opportunities that come from this regeneration, whether that be through jobs potentially in training or housing, affordable housing to move to when they get older.'
Affordable housing and services
No specific target has been set for the number of affordable or social homes within the 15,000 new dwellings. However, Ross stated he wants 'as much as possible' to fall into these categories. Discussions are already underway with NHS partners to ensure adequate GP and dental services, and with schools to expand or develop new sites as needed. 'We'll look at future school places both at a primary and a secondary level and look at what we need to do to work with existing schools to expand or develop new school sites as well,' Ross explained.
Transport infrastructure
Reducing car dependency, especially on match days, is a key goal. The council aims to improve public transport, with the potential reopening of the former Manchester United Station. Ross noted: 'That will clearly serve people coming in to go and watch Manchester United play, but will also serve the new population that lives around that northern part of Trafford and indeed the Quays area as well.' He added: 'I experience getting stuck in traffic on matchdays or seeing people park in front of my house, so anything that reduces that is a benefit.'
Job creation and skills
The scheme is expected to generate 48,000 jobs across a wide range of industries, including design, architecture, construction, transport management, and roles within the club and new businesses. Ross said: 'We're already working with existing colleges like Trafford College to look at what this can look like in terms of their future courses to make sure that we're ready for what's about to happen.'
Challenges and long-term outlook
Progress has not been without hurdles. Manchester United's earlier talks with Freightliner for land behind the Stretford End stalled, leading the club to find an alternative site for the stadium. However, the council hopes the Freightliner land could still be used for housing in the longer term. Ross said: 'That's not for now. That's a longer term conversation that we'll continue to have with Freightliner. I would say going ahead a few years from now, that's when we'll start to see that particular element of land being potentially developed.'
Funding and next steps
While the club is responsible for funding the stadium, the wider regeneration will rely on grant funding. Ross expressed confidence: 'There will be grant funding coming through because the government's priority at the moment is housing. So that means that there will be active conversations with the government, with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Homes England about how we deliver that.' A public consultation is expected later this month, and Ross urged residents to get involved.
