LCCC/Ask prepare to submit cricket ground plans

A planning application is due to be submitted in the spring for the £200m redevelopment of Old Trafford cricket ground and the surrounding area.

However, a spokeswoman for Lancashire County Cricket Club said funding was not in place for the joint venture scheme between the club, Trafford council, Tesco, Stretford High School and Ask Developments. Ask is currently in talks over a private equity sale to Infinity Asset Management.

The plans are expected to be called in for a public inquiry given their scale. The scheme includes new grandstands and 750,000 sq ft of business, residential, retail and leisure space.

Meanwhile, the club has secured a £2.65m grant from the North West Development Agency to turn the playing square at the end of this season and build new media and conference centres. A planning application for this phase is scheduled for June.

The club aims to regain the right to stage International Test Matches, which it recently lost for three years.