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Ex-Manchester council leader defends land and housing deals with Man City owners
Overview
Sir Richard Leese, the former leader of Manchester City Council, has defended the local authority's historic partnerships with the owners of Manchester City football club, describing them as beneficial for the city. The relationship has faced renewed scrutiny following a University of Sheffield report questioning transparency and land values, as well as Manchester City being found guilty of Premier League financial charges.
Key points
- Sir Richard Leese defended a decade-old partnership between Manchester City Council and the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), stating the deal was good for the city and helped kick-start development after the 2008 financial crash.
- The 2014 joint venture, Manchester Life, planned to invest over £1bn to develop thousands of homes in Ancoats and New Islington.
- A 2022 report by the University of Sheffield questioned public value, a lack of financial transparency, an absence of affordable housing, and whether land was leased below comparable rates.
- Manchester City Council defended the partnership, arguing that the land had zero market interest at the time and that the area's value increased precisely because of the investment.
- Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham previously stated he would be concerned if the club's owners pulled out of Manchester due to their significant role in building the modern city.