Manchester City's fight over £100m training complex heads for public inquiry... as United fan stands firm over land



By Sportsmail Reporter

Manchester City's plans for a world-beating training complex are heading for a public inquiry after they were blocked by a United fan.

The Blues revealed last July they want to spend £100m transforming a run-down 80-acre plot in the shadow of the Etihad Stadium. The plans include a 7,000-capacity arena, community facilities and a sixth-form college.

Vision: An impression of Manchester City's plans for a new training academy



But United supporter Shaun O’Brien has failed to sell the site of his vehicle recovery business, which is situated on land earmarked for the development. And he has offered to sell sections of the land for £250 each to fellow United supporters. Now council chiefs will seek a compulsory purchase order for the site in a bid to push through the City scheme. A CPO can only be issued by a government minister after a public inquiry has been held before a planning inspector. The best laid plans: City executive Patrick Vieira views a model of the complex

But the move could mean City being forced to reveal undisclosed details about the vast project opposite the Etihad Stadium

Mr O’Brien – who claims to have offered a compromise deal to the Blues – told the Manchester Evening News: 'We were asked to attend a meeting at MCFC on 23 December 2011 – the day before Christmas Eve. We agreed, on the proviso that a decision maker would be present. Our compromise offer was accepted in principle at the meeting.



'In our opinion, the purpose of this CPO is solely to court the aspirations of a trillionaire business family from the Middle East at the expense of local businessmen. Do they really need a CPO? Could they not have just done the honourable thing and approached us with a fair offer?



'The "public interest" element has been squeezed out of this to justify what is to be a major financial investment for a private business.'

Practice makes perfect: City currently use Carrington as a training base

The inquiry will also decide whether to grant a CPO on a second business, New Life Windows in nearby Quinn Street.



A City spokesman confirmed there will be a public inquiry but declined to comment further.



