Manchester Track Plans Unveiled A £100 million scheme to bring racing back to Manchester has gone before planners in Salford.Property owners Peel Holdings have earmarked land in Worsley and Boothstown in Salford for the creation of Salford Forest Park racecourse.Detailed plans for the whole development, which would include a woodland leisure park, equestrian centre, international standard 18-hole golf course and a country-house hotel, have been put forward by Frank Whittle Partnership.The overall project is to develop 1,690 acres of former estate lands, which once belonged to the third Duke of Bridgewater, and if plans are approved, there would be around 30 race days a year at the new venue.The development, which would provide the city with a replacement for the track that shut in 1963, could also herald the return of the famous Manchester Gold Cup.Turf and all-weather tracks feature as part of the design along with floodlighting to allow night racing and a three-tier glass grandstand for 6,000 racegoers.David Robinson, managing partner at FWP, said: 'Years of detailed work have gone into this submission.'The new racecourse will be a major boost to the local economy, generating jobs and providing the catalyst for a wonderful forest park for the people of Salford and Greater Manchester.'The racecourse will provide the financial backing for the larger leisure project and will be a tremendous boost for the racing industry in the UK.'(C) PA Sport
