Liverpool Council formally object to Everton FC stadium scheme

Jun 4 2008 by David Bartlett, Daily Post Staff

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

EVERTON FC's plan to move to Kirkby was this morning dealt a hammer blow, after Liverpool City Council formally objected to the scheme.

The city’s planning committee voted unanimously to object to the £400m scheme that also involves building a Tesco superstore despite not having been advised to by council officials.

The committee also heard that Sefton, St Helens, and West Lancashire we also likely to object and that Sefton was likely to go further and demand a full public inquiry into the matter.

Council leader Warren Bradley and opposition Labour leader Joe Anderson, both of whom are Everton season ticket holders, spoke at the committee and asked the council to object to the scheme.

The council had received a report compiled by planning experts Cushman and Wakefield that spelt out concerns with the scheme.

Cushman and Wakefield state the size of the development - about 500,000sq ft - conflicts with planning policies and would reposition Kirkby from 11th in the retail hierarchy of the region to possibly 4th.

Committee chairman Dave Irving said he was concerned about the detrimental effect the size of the retail element would have on shopping centres across Merseyside.

The planning application, that also includes 50 shops, will be considered by Knowsley Council on Monday.

Knowsley officials have recommended that the application be approved because regeneration benefits outweigh the conflicts with planning policies.