Regeneration and growth have been the dominant themes of my week.  This is down to one scheme, Old Trafford Regeneration, receiving international coverage following Manchester United’s announcement about their plans for a new stadium.  It is also because I had my first trip on behalf of Trafford Council to MIPIM in France.

MIPIM is an annual event that brings together developers, as well as representatives from public and private organisations.  Trafford Council has been attending for the best part of a decade and this year we were able to attend with thanks to private sponsorship.  Trafford joined Place North’s first delegation to the event, which was good to be a part of.

We also joined all the other Greater Manchester boroughs there, which is important as there’s an ambitious agenda for growth across GM, with several growth locations across the conurbation.

But what does growth mean and how can regeneration support local residents? That’s probably something we don’t explore as much as we should do so I’ll set out my thoughts with the example of Old Trafford Regeneration.

On Wednesday I joined a panel with Andy Burnham, Collette Roche from MUFC, and Lord Coe who chairs the Old Trafford taskforce.  I was pleased to hear members of the panel stress that this exciting scheme needs to work with the existing community.  Some of the ways Old Trafford Regeneration can work for the community are through providing housing for people who wish to remain in Trafford but are priced out. Regeneration can help enhance existing heritage assets- such as our side of the Quays or the Bridgewater Canal.  Regeneration can help improve public transport connections.  It can also provide jobs, particularly for young people as we strive to set people up with the best start in life.  Good design can contribute towards better health outcomes.  This is all in addition to the benefits a new stadium, paid for by the club, will bring to fans and the local economy.

Of course, the Old Trafford Regeneration project is one part of a bigger picture.  We have plans for more housing and commercial opportunities across the Borough as well as keeping our focus on supporting our district centres.  I took part in three panel sessions during my time at MIPIM and had several discussions with people interested in Trafford.  It was good for Trafford to have a presence there, exciting times with the attention around Old Trafford, and good to have the opportunity to discuss how regeneration and growth can work for our residents.

With that final point in mind, I was back out on the doorstep in my own ward on Friday.  Issues raised during the session included roads, street lighting and council tax. Each very important, each a reminder of the need to fix our local government finance system.

Finally at the end of the week I joined the Mayor of Trafford at her Civic Reception where we raised lots of money for her chosen charities and were treated to some amazing performances from young musicians, dancers and singers.