Lord Coe has said he is as excited by the plans to create thousands of homes and jobs as he is about the new Old Trafford stadium he is spearheading.
The former Olympian is chairman of the Mayoral Development Corporation behind the project that will see Manchester United’s new ground built, and more than 15,000 homes and 48,000 jobs created.
He told the there was “no point in letting [the stadium] sit alone without the massive legacy benefits you can get”.
The masterplan is set to be signed off by Trafford Council on 21 July, triggering an eight-week consultation period that will begin with 14,000 letters going out to local businesses and residents.
Lord Coe – who won two gold and two silver Olympic medals during his running career – said he was “enthused by the thought that there’s going to be a world-class, iconic football stadium”, adding: “I love football and sport changes lives, particularly of young people.
He said: “We’re going to create cohesive, inclusive and engaging communities for people.
“And we’re going to improve educational attainment and health outcomes and create 15,000 homes in the first wave.
“I’m excited by that.”