Trafford Council is set to use compulsory purchase powers to secure land in Stretford for development.

The former B&Q site in Great Stone Road next to Lancashire County Cricket Club has been vacant since 2016 and is currently owned by Accrue Capital, a property investment and development firm.

But the council wants to secure the land to use it for a new leisure centre, car park and other “higher value uses” as part of its Civic Quarter Masterplan.

If agreed at a cabinet meeting on Monday January 27, the compulsory purchase order will only be used as a result of “all reasonable steps” having been taken to reach a deal with the site owners beforehand.

Accrue Capital had tabled plans for an £80 million, 433-apartment development on the site, but this was denied planning permission by the council in March 2019.

At the time, complaints against the proposals came in from Lancashire Cricket Club and nearby residents; citing the high density of housing and the proposed height of the development on the site as issues.

It is understood that it hasn’t been possible for the council to reach an agreement over the site with Accrue Capital to date.

Council documents state: “At the present time there is no indication from the landowner that they are progressing deliverable proposals for the redevelopment of the site consistent with planning policy.”

Trafford Council’s Civic Quarter Masterplan for Stretford is set to be implemented in 2021 – following consultation and planning approval.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “Securing the successful regeneration of Stretford/Old Trafford has been a long-standing priority for the council. The report to our executive on January 27 puts in place key measures to make that ambition a reality.

“The former B&Q site is key location within the Civic Quarter and has been vacant for a number of years, following B&Q’s restructuring deal back in early 2016. Accrue Capital were refused planning permission for a scheme in March 2019. Accrue have not appealed against the council’s decision to refuse planning permission.

“The council has engaged with the land owners since April 2019 and commenced negotiations with its joint venture partner [Bruntwood Works development firm], in seeking to acquire it by agreement.

“In the negotiations to date it has not been possible to reach agreement with the site owner on an acquisition. Accordingly the current report seeks authorisation to instigate the first stages of the compulsory purchase process.

“The acquisition of the site will facilitate the carrying out of development works fostering the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.”

The spokesperson added that, if the report is approved on Monday, negotiations will continue with “all reasonable steps taken to acquire the former B&Q site by negotiation and voluntary agreement.”

They said: “In the meantime, we will commence compulsory purchase proceedings, but as the report makes clear, significant further steps are necessary before any final decision is made.”