Planning decision delayed

Planning decision delayed Lancashire County Cricket Club will have to wait longer to hear if its planning application for the development of Old Trafford and the surrounding area will be successful.

Trafford Council have delayed the hearing and said the planning application would now not be heard until March at the earliest. The local authority requires additional time to complete its report for the Council’s planning committee.

Commenting on this delay, Lancashire’s chief executive, Jim Cumbes says; “"We need a decision from Trafford as soon as is practically possibly in order to secure our future and progress our development proposals in accordance with the requirements set by the ECB. Timing is of the essence. The slippage in the Planning Committee date is disappointing but as long as this delay is minimal and the outcome is favourable, then we can work with it.”

The Old Trafford proposals are part of an innovative sports-led regeneration strategy for a 50-acre mixed use neighbourhood. The plans include a Tesco store with approximately 100,000 sq ft retail sales floorspace providing over 500 jobs, half of which would be guaranteed for the local long-term unemployed.

The development alone will bring investment of at least £70 million into parts of Trafford which suffer from low levels of economic activity and employment.

Without substantial redevelopment, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that after this year’s Test Match against Bangladesh there will be no more international cricket at Old Trafford. If Old Trafford is to remain an international venue, construction work must start in 2010 to meet strict deadlines set by the governing body.

This delay means that supporters of Old Trafford and those wanting to keep International cricket in the North West have longer to pledge their support. If you haven’t already pledge your support at www.oldtraffordashes.co.uk or written your letter of support to Trafford Council’s Planning department you still have some time to do so. Please send your letter quoting Lancashire County Cricket Club/Tesco planning application reference number 74393/FULL/2009 directly to;