MEMBERS of Traffford’s planning committee gave a unanimous yes to plans for Old Trafford cricket ground to receive a major facelift as part of a proposed £200m regeneration project.

The 151-year-old stadium will form the centrepiece of a 50-acre development, stretching from Talbot Road to Chester Road, including new business, residential, retail and leisure space and LCCC hopes it will rival Melbourne’s famous MCG Stadium.

About £70m will be spent on Lancashire Cricket Club’s home in a bid to bring international Test cricket back to Trafford.

At last Thursday’s planning meeting LCCC’s chief executive, Jim Cumbes, said: “This will be a world class cricket stadium, designed to regenerate the area around the ground and the club, which has struggled in recent years to compete with other clubs with new facilities. “This is an extremely important development for the club.”

Cllr Sean Anstee added that the plans were “spectacular”.

The plans include redesigning the historic pavilion, building a new 200-bedroom hotel and installing permanent floodlights and a state-of-the-art scoreboard.

The existing County and Tyldesley function suites, Jubilee Stand and associated seating would be demolished and replaced with a hospitality and events grandstand capable of seating 1,000 diners. Terraced seating will be provided for 2,250 people.

Capacity at the ‘new’ Old Trafford would be 15,000, capable of rising to 25,000 with temporary seating.

As part of the overall scheme, Trafford Council is also looking into potential options for the future of the listed Trafford Town Hall building.

The Old Trafford neighbourhood regeneration will see Trafford Council work in partnership with the cricket club, Ask Developments, Tesco and Stretford High School.

It is hoped work will start in February 2009, with completion scheduled for late 2012.