Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has stated that he would be willing to force the sale of land required for a significant reconstruction of the Old Trafford Stadium.
Burnham has expressed support for Manchester United’s plans to demolish its 74,310-seat stadium in lieu of a £2 billion 100,000-seat successor.
However, United would have to purchase adjoining land valued at £400 million by its owners, Freightliner, which is ten times the club’s price.
Burnham said conversations were still in the early stages, but his office would be able to employ compulsory purchase powers “if necessary.”
“The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has approved the establishment of a mayoral development corporation (MDC) to oversee a masterplan of the area to facilitate some of the land assembly,” according to BBC Radio Manchester.
“However, there is a lot that can be done if an agreement cannot be reached.
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“The real action is only going to get going in the autumn with the MDC,” according to him.
Manchester United has stated that the overall project has the potential to produce 92,000 new jobs, build 17,000 houses, and attract an additional 1.8 million tourists to the area each year.
It adds that the project will boost the UK economy by £7.3 billion a year.
Freightliner has stated that it is willing to relocate operations to ILP North, a new depot planned for the border of Warrington, St Helens, and Wigan, 17 miles away.
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