Labour councillors have approved the first stage of the Draft Trafford Wharfside Masterplan and Framework for public consultation.

The vision is to transform a large area next to the Manchester Ship Canal that will deliver an emerging neighbourhood over the next 15 years.

The blueprints were agreed during a meeting of the Executive on Monday.

The documents were prepared by the authority in discussion with landowning partners Peel, Manchester United and Salford Council.

The report states that the Trafford Wharfside area represents a major development and regeneration site due to its size and strategic position.

Its design will place nature and the landscape its heart while it celebrates the canal waterfront and the Imperial War Museum.

The development is expected to provide up to 5,000 quality new homes and connects Trafford Wharfside to the city centre and offers Manchester United a fantastic setting as they develop their plans for a world-class football stadium.

It is expected the consultation will be published in March for a six-week period.

Speaking during the meeting, Cllr Liz Patel, Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “We can look across the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford’s Media City and to the north of Trafford where we see high-rise developments emerging from the city centre to see some of the commercial forces that could drive change at Trafford Wharfside.

“Historically an industrial and commercial area, its home to existing businesses and communities who sit alongside visitor attractions, the Imperial War Museum North, and Old Trafford football stadium.

“This is an area of strategic importance to us in Trafford, so it is only right that we get on the front foot and help to positively shape change in this area.”

“The Draft Trafford Wharfside Masterplan and Framework have identified several key development themes and five-character areas within the plan that will reflect different scales of development and uses.”

The framework identifies the potential of each area which consists of:

• Trafford Wharf – north area of Wharfside bordering the Manchester Ship Canal
• Heritage Quarter – adjacent to Trafford Wharf
• Stadium District – Manchester United area
• Innovation Quarter – western area of Wharfside
• Wharfside Heart – connects the four other character areas together

It is envisaged that the initial development focus will be on the waterfront and stadium zone noting the Masterplan and Framework will also form part of the council’s Planning Design Code and emerging Local Plan meaning it will carry significant weight in planning terms.