Homes refusal setback for Everton stadium proposal

Mar 12 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC’s plans to build 74 luxury homes on their former training ground, which would have helped pay for a new stadium, have been rejected by Liverpool’s planning committee.

Yesterday the committee decided to refuse the joint application by the club and David Wilson Homes because of fears it would increase traffic and would not provide regeneration benefits.

The application will not be officially refused until a future meeting - last night the club declined to comment.

The club is moving ahead with plans to build a new stadium in Kirkby. The committee was told that the development of the former training ground, off Sandforth Road, West Derby, would provide 10% of the costs of the new stadium.

About 220 residents objected to the plans for the homes mainly because they were concerned about increased traffic, extra pressure on local schools, doctors and dentists, and loss of open space.

However, council planners had recommended the scheme be approved.

Yesterday residents addressed the committee with their concerns.

Eileen Woods lives next door to one of the four homes in Sandforth Road that would have to be knocked down.

She said: “It seems to be the club is trying to hold the city to ransom by saying that it is crucial to the stadium.”

Cllr Steve Munby, opposition spokesman on housing, said allowing the development outside the Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) areas ran contrary to the council’s policy to encourage development in deprived areas.

Planning chairman Cllr Dave Irving, who did not vote on the proposal because he represents the Knotty Ash ward which includes the site, also spoke against the application.

Paul Williams, representing Everton and David Wilson Homes, said the number of houses had been reduced from the 96 originally proposed in response to residents concerns.

“This is a private space, it’s never provided a public facility. Therefore there would be no loss of public open space.”

davidbartlett