Manchester United wins backing for stadium works
The football club has been given planning consent for a series of works to its Old Trafford stadium including extensions to improve access and seating.
Designed by architect Populous, the proposals are designed to provide better disabled access throughout the stadium, adding lift shafts and new turnstiles for away fans.
Works are set to take place at the Stretford End and the South East Quadrant of the stadium, and together will add 118 wheelchair user positions and spaces for carers as well a further 158 amenity seats.
The largest set of works are at the Stretford End where a red metal-clad extension will be added along with pre-cast concrete tubes on top of the existing stair cores. Accessible toilets and two food and beverage kiosks are also included. Similar cladding is to be used on the away end, where a smaller intervention is planned.
The architect said: “The extension at the rear of the Stretford End will enable the new platform to have good sight lines as the positions will be high but not affected by the leading edge of the existing roof.
“The atmosphere in the Stretford End is renowned and it is anticipated that the wheelchair users in this area will enjoy being part of the atmosphere of the stand.”
Populous added the works would “vastly improve facilities for disabled spectators” at the stadium.
“The design of the expansion elements will be sympathetic to the existing architecture and massing of the stadium and yet contemporary and of quality, as would be expected as an addition to such a world famous venue.”
Trafford Council gave the plans consent through delegated powers earlier this month. The team also includes Paul Butler Associates as planner.
Looks truly awful and takes away from the iconic white steelwork. It makes the already very modular and thrown together structure look even more boxy.
By Anon
“The atmosphere in the Stretford End is renowned…”
It WAS, until someone had the clever idea of diluting it by sticking a load of corporate toffs in the middle of it. The stadium now looks tired and old. Don’t think you would find many supporters that wouldn’t back a proposal for a new stadium.
By Cyril
Horrific
By Bob
What a club
By Eric Cantona
Spurs new stadium, £1B
Cost of servicing United’s debt since 2005, £1B
By GlazersOut
This is the worst Stadium in the so called ‘top 6’. It looks like a child has built it out of lego.
United are being left behind. I am a Villa fan so NW rivalry doesn’t bother me but they need to knock this place down and start again. look at the london clubs and what they’ve done.
Wouldn’t surprise me if United get relegated this season. Thumbs down from moi.
By Global Warming
I reckon with a few images of Malcolm Joel and Avram Glazer incorporated it will look ok.
By Oscar
Its starting to look like frankensteins monster with all the mods over the years! Awful
By Sir AF
This would be a poor development on FC United’s ground nevermind OT – having just seen what Everton’s new pad could look like we should be doing better than this for the biggest club in the world!
By unhappy fan
Horrendous, absolutely horrendous. Been a season ticket holder for 14 seasons now and its time we knocked the place down and re-built something spectacular. Wishful thinking whilst those yanks are running the place. #GlazersOut
By Enough is Enough
About time they won something.
By Bert
Unsightly as they may seem this is all part of the premier league joining the 21st century.
For far too long access to many grounds has been inhibiting for many members of society while cash rich clubs from TV deals splashed money on agents and players, without much consideration for elderly, infirm or people with special needs.
Has anybody any info on how much spurs spent on such facilities at their new ground?
By Offside.
Large parts of the stadium needs updating. It looks old and tired. More needs to be done to develop areas next to the ground make better fan zones.
By Anon
I think it’s a good move.
By Nam Joshua
Look like something made out of Mecanno. Dreadful.
By Schteve