TRAFFORD Council and Lancashire Cricket Club have released details of ambitious plans to transform 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, 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. with plans to also create a new public piazza and ‘processional route’ linking Lancashire Cricket Club with Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

Lancashire Cricket Club has also announced it is progressing plans for further significant development at Emirates Old Trafford alongside the Council’s developing proposals.

A new 4,850-seater stand, which will replace 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 are an extension of the existing Hilton Garden Inn hotel due to its continued success since opening two years ago.

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. We are committed to ensuring Emirates Old Trafford is one of the best places in the world to watch and play cricket and the new stand will transform that area of the ground and will make it one of the largest cricket stadiums in the country.”