Salford stadium details set for planners
Detailed proposals for the new £26m rugby stadium in Greater Manchester is ready to be submitted to city planners.
It is hoped the 20,000-seater arena, which will become the new home for Salford City Reds, will be ready for the 2012 Super League season.
The joint venture, one of the largest sport investments in the area for decades, is led by Salford City Council and development firm Peel.
The application will be submitted on 19 August.
Not only will it cater for rugby fans, the stadium is being advertised as a centre for the entire community.
The 70-acre site in Barton, will have two outdoor sports pitches - one grass and one artificial pitch - offices, player facilities and hospitality boxes.
An outline application for retail outlets nearby will also be submitted.
After work to prepare the site is completed, construction of the new stadium will start in November.
Leader of Salford City Council John Merry said: "The new stadium is an important asset for the city, economically and culturally.
"It is a new home for the Reds at the start of another Super League season and will provide many state-of-the-art facilities for the community.
"I'm pleased that work has started to prepare the land for the new stadium and this is the next step toward making this scheme a reality for the people of Salford."