Manchester United are facing another protest – this time from its neighbours.
Fans disgruntled with the club’s ownership are planning to march to Old Trafford ahead of the weekend’s Manchester derby.
And it appears that United is also on a collision course with local residents over plans to introduce a first-ever fanzone at its iconic stadium.
Last month, officials unveiled proposals for The Paddock, a 1,300-venue they want to open behind the Stretford End in time for the club’s autumn fixtures.
They say they have responded to demand from fans and that the facility will provide ‘food, drink and lively entertainment’.
However, the fanzone will require planning permission – and some of those who live close to the iconic stadium are not impressed. A petition of 50 signatures has been lodged with Trafford Council, with locals listing a variety of concerns over the plans.
Some have mentioned the prospect of increased ‘noise pollution’ and say the club have chosen the location without thinking of their neighbours and purely because the site involved will not take away lucrative car parking spaces.
Local residents have hit back over Man United’s plans to open a fanzone directly outside Old Trafford’s Stretford End
They have been accused of ignoring the quality of life of those who live nearby and only looking ‘to do what’s best for them’. ‘They have plenty of space (elsewhere),’ wrote one, ‘where their additional noise would not directly impact on residents but they have chosen to locate the fan zone a short distance away’.
The petition says the fanzone will be ‘just 110m’ from nearby houses and says it will operate for up to six additional hours on 19 to 30 occasions each year. It adds that 36 residential properties are within 150m of the proposed site with a population that includes families with young children, the elderly and those work irregular shifts – all of whom would be impacted by increased noise.
United say the free-to-enter venue will only open on matchdays and that they are fully committed to working with residents. They add that the Paddock will adhere to noise management guidelines and say further work is being carried out to mitigate concerns, which will include sound-proofing and ensuring speakers are pointed away from residential areas. A decision will land in due course.
Fans group The 1958 are organising a protest ahead of Sunday’s clash with City in a row over the club’s recent crackdown on ticket touting.
