Clearance work to prepare for Man City development

Manchester City Council is to clean up 17 acres of prime development land around the City of Manchester Stadium, Eastlands, in preparation for future development.

The council published a £10m-to-£15m tender brief on Saturday that describes 'remediation and site servicing to land bounded by the stadium, Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Road.'

The project will deliver 'a flexible platform to enable and underpin future developments.'

The extensive package of works includes treatment of contaminated soils and water, moving obstructive utilities, capping mineshafts, removing underground structures, increasing utilities to the site and levelling it for development.

New East Mancehster, the urban regeneration company, and the council are expected to make an announcement about significant plans for the area early in 2010.

The remediation works would last six months. The deadline for contractors to apply – only those with at least £17m turnover are invited – is 7 January.

Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, told Place this month that talks were ongoing with the Abu Dhabi owners of Manchester City FC over a major development next to its ground.

Manchester City FC fans have been debating on fanzine websites about the possibility of an extension or even new stadium being built by the ambitious owners. Other speculation points to a Las Vegas-style casino complex next to the existing stadium. Paul Gregg, Apollo theatre tycoon and former Everton FC shareholder, has also been linked with the site.

Clearance work is expected to begin in May 2010.