Fresh rethink on Everton Kirkby stadium plans

May 16 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

KNOWSLEY Council has said it will have to go out to consultation again after Tesco made significant changes to the retail element connected to Everton FC’s new Kirkby stadium.

The Daily Post revealed last month that Tesco had agreed to slash the retail element by 25% in a bid to quell concerns of neighbouring councils about the scale of the £400m scheme, and to hopefully avoid a public inquiry being called by the Government.

Knowsley council said it would now be seeking views on these latest amendments.

Tesco had already applied for a new mixed-use development, including a new 50,000-seat football stadium for EFC, retailing, food and drink uses, a hotel, offices, and more than 3,500 car parking spaces.

The latest amendment has reduced the retail space planned as part of the town’s development by almost a third from 72,000 to 50,000 square metres.

Last night, Colin Fitzpatrick, secretary of the Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) campaign group, said even the scaled-down retail element still represented an increase on Tesco’s original proposed figure of 45,000 sq m.

“As far as we’re concerned, they’re just playing with figures,” he said.

Sheena Ramsey, chief executive of Knowsley Council, said: “This fresh period of consultation is the opportunity for anyone with an interest in Kirkby to give their views on these latest changes to the plans. I would urge people to come along to view the plans or look through the changes on the Knowsley Council website.”

The plans are available to view at Kirkby One Stop Shop, Huyton One Stop Shop and on the website www.knowsley.gov.uk/consultation

The consultation period ends on June 5.

Findings from this consultation, along with those already received as part of the January and April exercises, will be considered by Knowsley planning officers, who will then present a final report on the application to the council’s planning committee.

alanweston