Former Sportcity casino site comes to market

The eagerly awaited development brief for the 38-acre former regional casino site at Sportcity has been published by New East Manchester, the urban regeneration company.

Interested parties have until "early 2009" to submit proposals for a major leisure development on the land next to the City of Manchester Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club.

The Sportcity complex already boasts the largest collection of sports facilities in the UK.

The development partner will be expected to finance the project, which will require an investment in the region of £300 million, as well as carry out the works.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This currently vacant site offers the opportunity to develop a visitor attraction that will be both nationally and internationally significant in a prime location just 1.5 miles east of the city centre. We are looking for proposals that would generate around 3 million additional visitors to Sportcity each year. It is also important that the proposals show the intention to deliver the highest standards of architecture, design and public realm to create a high quality environment that will complement and enhance existing facilities on the site."

Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, added: "This high profile piece of land is at the heart of one of the most important regeneration areas in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to create a world class tourist attraction in east Manchester and we look forward to receiving some very ambitious and creative proposals from prospective developers who share our vision for the future of Sportcity and the east Manchester area as a whole."

• Contact Richard Bannister on 0161 223 1155 or email bannister@pierreangulaire.co.uk for more information.