Manchester United backs plans for regeneration near ground

Old Trafford is included in one of five redevelopment zones set out in the plan

Manchester United has said plans to regenerate the area around its ground are "tremendously exciting".

Trafford Council's 15-year draft masterplan includes proposals to redevelop sites and create 5,000 new homes around Trafford Wharf Road.

The Manchester Ship Canal and the Imperial War Museum are in the area included in the scheme.

Chief operating officer at Manchester United Collette Roche said the club backed the "ambitious plans".

Councillors are set to discuss the Trafford Wharfside Development Framework later this week before a public consultation on the masterplans begins, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It has been drawn up following talks with major landowners in the area, including the Peel Group, Manchester United and Salford City Council.

'Important area'

The proposal breaks up the area of Trafford into five zones, including a Stadium Zone, which encompasses space around Old Trafford.

Plans for the wider site include new homes, hotels, and shops, and better connections between Trafford Wharfside and Manchester city centre.

Trafford Councillor Liz Patel said the plan offered a "vision for a hugely important area" and signalled "great change over future years".

Salford City councillor Mike McCusker said the Trafford Wharfside "goes hand in hand" with the ongoing developments at MediaCity in Salford.