Lib Dems to oppose Everton stadium plan

Feb 9 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

LIBERAL Democrats will formally object to the way Knowsley council has prepared its vision for Kirkby town centre, the Daily Post can reveal.

Knowsley Lib Dems leader Cllr Ian Smith believes plans have been “hopelessly skewed” by proposals for Everton FC’s new stadium and the giant Tesco development which goes with it.

The news came as Everton chief executive Keith Wyness wrote to fans in Kirkby saying the next few weeks “will, undoubtedly, represent some of the most crucial and significant in our great club’s long history.

“We have reached a critical phase of the ‘Destination Kirkby’ project.”

The Lib Dems will object both to Everton’s planning application and the council’s Interim Planning Statement.

The statement should provide the framework on which Knowsley’s planners rely when making decisions.

But Everton and Tesco’s joint planning application was put in before it could be completed.

The Lib Dems argue this could mean planners have no policy framework to go on when assessing the application which is due to go before committee on April 18.

But a Knowsley council spokeswoman said the odd timing would not hold up the planning process.

Consultation on the planning statement ended on December 14 and the council is now assessing the various comments.

On top of these concerns, Cllr Smith believes the whole procedure has been warped to favour the Everton bid.

His views are supported by at least one council planning member who told the Daily Post: “I believe we’re developing a policy that matches what Tesco want to do. Policy should be made in a complete vacuum and be based squarely on what is good for the town.”

Cllr Smith wants a public inquiry to investigate these issues.

He said: “It is hopelessly skewed towards the developers and I will be objecting because of this.”

He said the overwhelming majority of people in Kirkby were against the stadium. A Lib Dem organised poll of 1,600 Kirkby residents found 86% of the respondents were against the plans. But these views are not being properly represented, he believes.

Knowsley council insists the Kirkby application has involved the borough’s biggest consultation yet. The authority argues the results of it will provide planners with sufficient information to make an informed decision.

Lib Dems have pushed for a local referendum on the topic but have not met with success.

Everton have asked fans to write to support their bid, conscious of attempts to mobilise opposition to it.

In his letter to fans Keith Wyness admits the club’s plans could well fall through.

He wrote: “I am aware that many people believe this is a done deal and that the council’s approval is now a foregone conclusion; it is not.

“On April 18, Knowsley Borough Council will decide whether or not to rubber-stamp our recently-submitted planning application.”

richarddown