PLANS to create a brand-new 150 bedroom hotel at Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) in Old Trafford have moved a step closer, Messenger can reveal.

It follows agreement on Friday, February 27 from Greater Manchester’s Combined Authority (GMCA) to provide a £5m loan to the club.

The agreement is dependent on Trafford Council also providing an additional £4 million loan.

LCCC has already secured the remanding £3 million needed for the estimated £12 million scheme.

It’s intended that both loans will be repaid with interest by 2021, with Trafford Council’s decision on their £4million loan due before councillors towards the end of the month.

The new four-star hotel would replace the current 68-bed hotel at the Emirates Old Trafford and be worth an estimated £2.4 million for the region.

Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Sean Anstee, said: “Not only would this hotel be a real boost for the regeneration of the area on the back of the already impressive Old Trafford site, it will also create at least 76 much welcomed new employment and training opportunities.

“With an ever increasing number of events taking place at the venue this additional accommodation would support not only the club’s growth and offer, but also the borough and wider region in attracting further business and footfall to the region – an estimated £2.3m GVA per annum.

“The council will now need to consider the further request for support recognising its ability to positively enhance the Trafford economy, with the full support of the cross party political leadership of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and that of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.”

The scheme would follow the multi-million pound The Point development at the site, credited with bringing Test Match cricket back to Old Trafford.

Mike Blackburn Chair of the GM LEP said: “This agreement by the Combined Authority will enable the club to strengthen its position and its long-term growth strategy by allowing it to compete as an all-round first class sporting, conference and events venue, bringing business to the area and attracting wider investment, employment and training opportunities.”

David Hodgkiss, vice chairman of LCCC, said the club were ‘absolutely delighted’ with the Combined Authority’s backing.

“This project will eventually lead to the creation of £1million worth of annual employment right in the heart of Trafford," he added.