Frank Whittle scores brief for FC United stadium

PRESTON-based project management firm The Frank Whittle Partnership has been appointed to oversee plans by FC United of Manchester to build a new ground and community sports facility in Newton Heath, north Manchester.

A planning application for the £3.5m scheme at Ten Acres Lane, which is partly being funded through a community share scheme launched by the supporter-owned club earlier in the summer, will be brought before the council next month.

Frank Whittle Partnership will lead the design team for the 5,000-seat facility, which includes planning consultant Kath Ludlam and architects Taylor Young.
It is already working on ongoing projects for a number of football clubs including Oldham Athletic, AFC Barrow, Swindon Town, Fleetwood Town and Peterborough FC.

Past projects include the £32m redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse and the £100m stadium-led regeneration scheme developed for the Leicester Tigers rugby union side.

Frank Whittle Partnership’s managing partner David Robinson said: “There has been widespread consultation during the design stages to allow local people to put their views forward before the submission of the planning application.

“The plan that has been put forward to the council will give FC United a modern facility which will also be of great benefit to the local community.

“We are looking forward to bringing our experience in stadium building project management to this exciting vision for the club as it continues to move forward on and off the pitch.”