Manchester City will go head-to-head at a public inquiry with a United fan blocking their plans for a £100m training ground. Reds supporter Shaun O’Brien has refused to sell the site of his vehicle recovery business, which stands on land earmarked for the development. And he has offered to sell sections of the land for £250 each to fellow United supporters in a bid to block the Blues’ plans. The M.E.N. revealed earlier this month that town hall chiefs planned to issue a compulsory purchase order if an agreement could not be reached. Businessman urges Manchester United fans to buy his land - to stop City's £100m training complex Despite ongoing talks it appears council bosses have now decided to go ahead with a CPO. But an order can only be issued by a government minister after a public inquiry has been held before a planning inspector. It is understood that the inquiry has now been arranged for May 1. The Blues could be forced to reveal undisclosed details about the vast project opposite the Etihad Stadium. If the council is successful, Mr O’Brien would be forced to sell his land at the market rate. Mr O’Brien – who claims to have offered a compromise deal to the Blues – said in a statement: "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." The inquiry will also decide whether to grant a CPO on a second business, New Life Windows in nearby Quinn Street. City plan to build a 7,000 capacity stadium, community sports facilities and a sixth form college at the complex. A City spokesman confirmed there will be a public inquiry but declined to comment further.
