Coronation Street move approved by Trafford Council

The Coronation Street cast recently celebrated the show's 50th anniversary

Plans to relocate the set of Coronation Street have been approved by Trafford Council.

The authority's planning committee gave permission for the set to be built at a site adjacent to Imperial War Museum North at Trafford Wharf.

Work on the new larger-scale set, with the famous houses and cobbles, will start next year.

Filming will relocate, from Granada Studios in Quay Street, central Manchester, in 2013.

Coronation Street was based on a terraced road in Salford when it was devised by creator Tony Warren in 1960.

'Extremely pleased'

The show's current set has been used since 1982. Its terraced houses are slightly smaller than real properties.

The new set, on a 7.7 acre site, will replicate the appearance of the original Weatherfield but will be built on a larger scale to cater for the demands of high definition TV.

ITV is also due to build a bespoke production and studio centre on the site.

ITV's new production base is due to open in 2012

ITV's other Manchester operations will move to the Media City complex in Salford, near a new BBC office that will house Match of the Day, BBC Breakfast and Blue Peter among others.

The Coronation Street site will be linked to the main Media City complex by a new bridge.

Councillor Matt Colledge, leader of Trafford Council, said: "I am extremely pleased the planning committee were satisfied with the planning application and have found in favour of this development.

"Being home to the most iconic street in Britain, and housing a significant part of the Media City UK scheme in Trafford will enhance the existing area around the Imperial War Museum North and bring significant benefits into Trafford."

A spokesman for ITV said: "We warmly welcome the decision by Trafford Council to grant permission to ITV's plans for a new Coronation Street production centre on Trafford Wharf.

"As we progress ITV's Transformation Plan we are delighted that we will be able to begin work on providing a modern production facility for the nation's best loved soap."