Everton’s new stadium plan moves step closer

May 7 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Artist's impression of Everton's new stadium & shops in Kirkby _320

TESCO has agreed to slash the retail element connected to Everton FC’s new stadium in Kirkby by 25%, the Daily Post can reveal.

The move appears to be a fresh attempt to create a consensus across Merseyside about the £400m scheme and avoid a public inquiry being called by the Government.

In the face of mounting opposition to the Kirkby project – which included a Tesco store and 50 shops – the supermarket giant has agreed to downgrade the amount of retail from around 72,000 sq m, to 55,000 sq m. The Daily Post can also today reveal that the Goodison club are looking to secure in excess of £60m for a 15-year naming rights deal for the proposed new 50,000-seater ground.

Last night, Tesco and Everton said the scaling-down of the plans showed the consortium had listened to concerns.

Liverpool’s planning committee was set to formally object to the Kirkby project, but yesterday it deferred making the decision because of the “significant” changes proposed by Tesco.

Grosvenor, the firm behind the £1bn Liverpool One, had also objected to the scheme saying it would take out £129m of turnover from Liverpool city centre.

Sefton Council planning committee is due to meet today, and councillors had also been advised to object to “Destination Kirkby”. It is likely the council will now rethink its response.

It is understood officials at Knowsley Council wrote to their Liverpool counterparts late last week asking the authority to defer its objection because of “significant” changes that were being made to the scheme.

Tesco is yet to submit the scaled-down plans for the shopping complex, but is expected to do so in the next couple of weeks.

It is understood Everton and Tesco are now hoping that Sefton and Liverpool will not officially object, something which would significantly increase the project’s chances of not being “called-in” by Whitehall. Any call-in would delay things by up to a year.

The councils’ main objections were that the Kirkby scheme was too large and was likely to have an adverse impact on shopping centres in their areas.

A Liverpool council spokesman said: “We have been told by Knowsley that the scale has been changed significantly and asked that we defer making a decision today.”

Last night, Ian Ross, Everton’s director of communications, said the club and Tesco had always said it was an ever-changing process.

“We also stated quite categorically that we would listen to the various interested parties and make changes to the project’s masterplan accordingly.

“That is precisely what we have done all along and precisely what we will continue to do.

“We were always aware that it was absolutely key we listen to the various representative bodies.

“Many people thought we would ride roughshod over local opinion and not listen, but that is far from the case.”

One of the justifications for the size of the retail element was to “cross fund” the new stadium.

The downgrading on the shopping floorspace is not believed to affect the amount the club will have to fund, instead Tesco will take less profit.

A spokesman for Tesco added: “There does need to be a substantial retail element, but we have responded to concerns.

“We have shown we have worked with the community on what will be a world-class project that will put Kirkby on the map.

“We think we have a great scheme and we are delighted it is moving towards planning.”

Last night, Knowsley Council said it had received an “unprecedented response” to the consultation on the Tesco and Everton planning application.

“It has been clear throughout the consultation process that there is wide-scale support for the regeneration of Kirkby from the community, neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies but that the current proposals have raised some concerns that need to be addressed.

“The council has kept the applicants, Tesco and Everton, informed of the consultation feedback.

“Tesco and Everton have now agreed to reconsider the level of retail being proposed and we expect that aspect of the plans to change in the near future.

“When the final plans are received they will be submitted to the council’s planning committee and all the comments raised throughout the consultation will be considered before a decision is made.”

OPINION: PAGE 12;

BILL GLEESON – LDP BUSINESS: PAGE 8

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