Council to hear LCC/Tesco Old Trafford plans in March

Lancashire County Cricket Club's planning application for the development of Old Trafford and the surrounding area is now likely to be heard in March at the earliest.

Trafford Council said it delayed the hearing and requires additional time to complete its report for the council's planning committee.

Jim Cumbes, Lancashire CCC's chief executive, said: "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 a 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 £70m into parts of Trafford which suffer from low levels of economic activity and employment.

Without substantial redevelopment, the England and Wales Cricket Board 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 with completion in late 2012 to meet strict deadlines set by the governing body and in order for Old Trafford to bid to host the Ashes Test in 2013.

A planning application was submitted by The Old Trafford Partnership, which includes Lancashire County Cricket Club, Tesco and Ask Developments.