Salford City Reds has announced plans to relocate to its new £26m community stadium near Barton-upon-Irwell by the end of next year after work got underway on the scheme.

A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work to prepare the site for the 15,000-capacity venue, which will provide a new home for the rugby league club after more than a century at The Willows. Salford City Council has formed a joint venture with developer Peel to build and operate the stadium, with detailed proposals due to be considered by planning officials in August.

The £4m cost of preparing the 70-acre (28-hectare) site is being met by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), while the construction stage is due to get underway in October. It is hoped the stadium, which will replace Salford City Reds' current Willows home, will be delivered by December 2011 in order to boost the club's bid to secure a Super League licence between 2012-15.

NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said: "The new stadium will bring 45 acres (18 hectares) of derelict brownfield land back into productive use for the community, provide a new venue for events which will benefit the visitor economy and create new jobs." Council leader John Merry added: "The partnership we've created will deliver an important cultural - and economic - asset for the city and gives residents a no-cost stake in that success."