PLANS to transform Stretford town centre – including putting a new tram stop outside Old Trafford – could benefit from a multi-million-pound government cash boost.

Hundreds of new homes; a ‘civic plaza’; and an upgraded White City retail park are also proposed as part of the council’s vision for the area.

Town hall bosses have submitted an 'expression of interest’, with the hope of securing between £5m and 10m from the Future High Streets Fund.

Revealed in December, the scheme is designed to financially support initiatives that aim to improve town centres.

If the bid is successful, the cash will be spent on public open spaces, pedestrian and cycle routes, as well as securing the future of Essoldo cinema and plans for a mix-used development on Lacy Street.

Cllr James Wright, the council’s regeneration chief, said the money would go some way to helping deliver the scheme.

“It will be great if we secure the funding – and it will ensure we deliver a Stretford town centre that we can all be proud of,” he added.

The plans, once agreed, would see a swathe of Stretford and Old Trafford transformed.

It includes proposals for a new pedestrianised ‘processional route’ connecting the Old Trafford tram stop with United along Warwick Road, a move that could also see Brian Statham Way closed to traffic.

A huge new plaza would link Lancashire County Cricket Club with the town hall, forming what the council calls a new ‘civic square’ that could be used on match and event days for public celebrations.

In addition, Talbot Road would be completely changed to feature a cycle lane and shared surfaces for vehicles.

A running track could also be incorporated into the surrounding upgrade to public space.

An additional tram stop outside United’s stadium is also proposed and would form part of the new Trafford Park line to the Trafford Centre, which is already in development.

The council also hopes to add a new leisure centre at Great Stone Road, opening up some of LCCC’s pitches to the public, while encouraging ‘significant’ amounts of new housing on the old B&Q site.

Meanwhile work for Gary Neville’s UA92 sports university, to be housed in the former Kellogg’s building is underway.

Plans for 20-storey developments at the junction of White City Way and the next to UA92 building are also in the pipeline.

And the project could also see a section of White City retail park on Chester Road redeveloped to include a pedestrianised route from Talbot Road to the shopping centre and a reconfigured car park.

The radical plans – spearheaded by the council and property giant Bruntwood – split the new ‘civic quarter’ into four areas.

The ‘town hall quarter’ includes a ribbon of new public realm improvements towards Warwick, Talbot and Chester Roads.

Meanwhile the ‘leisure quarter’ would incorporate the new sports space and public plaza around LCCC.

UA92 would form part of a new ‘campus quarter’ and White City would anchor a new ‘commercial quarter’.

Previously, council boss Andrew Western described the scheme as a ‘fantastic’ opportunity that could transform the space.

Meanwhile, Daniel Gidney, Lancashire Cricket Club chief executive, said the plans were a ‘grand vision’ that will turn the area into a vibrant destination.

Bruntwood’s regional director Andrew Cooke said the ‘vision’ will transform the busiest part of Trafford into a ‘vibrant and successful community’.