A NEW 2,000 seater home for the Manchester Giants basketball team will go ahead at a cost of £35million.

The redevelopment of Urmston's George H Carnall leisure centre was secured by a 'legal agreement' signed by former leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Sean Anstee, just days before the local elections last month.

A spokesperson from Trafford Council said: “Trafford Council continue to work with Manchester Giants on a proposal, which will be subject to a full public consultation and we hope to put proposals forward in July/August 2018.”

Plans to redevelop the site were first put forward by Cllr Sean Anstee (Cons) during his term as leader of Trafford Council.

Cllr Anstee championed the project and it is understood that the change in leadership at Trafford Council will not affect the deal.

The 2,000 capacity arena will be twice the size of the team's current home at Trafford Powerleague Arena in Stretford.

Confirmation of the development has put to rest weeks of uncertainty following Trafford Labour's local election success.

Within days of taking charge at Trafford Council, Cllr Andrew Western (Lab), took immediate action on Gary Neville's contentious plans to transform Turn Moss into a new football training ground. The plans had previously received support from Cllr Sean Anstee and his Conservative-controlled council.

Council Leader Western also committed himself to opposing plans to build homes on Flixton's greenbelt, including William Wroe golf course, an initiative previously backed by Cllr Anstee.

But a legal agreement signed by the council in the days prior to the election has secured the future for the Manchester Giants' new home arena.

The basketball team is expected to move into its new arena for the 2019/20 season.