Everton FC stadium plan approved

Jun 10 2008 Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC’s plan to move to Kirkby was given planning permission yesterday, after a hearing that councillors said would be “the most significant of their political careers”.

The £400m scheme, which includes a Tesco superstore and 50 shops set over 50,000 sq m of floors, was approved by Knowsley council’s planning committee, which heard from 10 objectors and six supporters of the scheme.

“Destination Kirkby” includes a new 50,000-seater stadium for Everton, a hotel, offices, and more than 3,500 car parking spaces.

The proposal will now be sent to the Government Office North West, where a decision will be made whether to recommend Secretary of State for Communities Hazel Blears to call a public inquiry into the matter. That is expected within three weeks.

Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and West Lancashire councils have opposed the plan because it breaches town centre and retail planning policies, decisions heavily criticised by Knowsley councillors at yesterday’s meeting.

The proposal was passed by a 20-to-1 vote, with only Lib-Dem Cllr Fred Fricker, who could not accept the scheme, because of the points raised by objectors.

Kirkby Residents Action Group (Krag) were present and residents made representations.

Dot Reed has lived in Spice Grove, in Kirkby, for 15 years and her house is due to be demolished if the plans go ahead.

She said: “These homes were built under the banner regeneration. I would like to ask what the lifespan of regeneration is. Is it likely that Tesco and Everton will be demolished if a new project takes their fancy?

“I love my home, we have wonderful neighbours and a very strong community. The loss of people’s homes to be replaced by car parks is outrageous.”

Another objector, Rector at St Chad’s Church, Rev Tim Stratford, said: “Regeneration is not about putting up shiny steel structures. Physical and economic factors mean nothing without regeneration of communities and support.

“This plan misses the point . . . this approach is not going to bring regeneration to Kirkby, it is just the same old new-town mentality.”

Representatives from Tesco, Everton chief executive Keith Wyness and local businessmen from Kirkby spoke in favour of the scheme.

After the meeting, Mr Wyness said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome, and I think the fact the vote was in no way close – 20-to-1 – shows that the Knowsley borough councillors are ready to embrace the regeneration of the Kirkby area.

“ This is another major step forward for us as a football club as we seek to find a new home.

“The next big step comes in the form of trying to ensure the project is not 'called-in' for an inquiry from the Government.

“Hopefully, it will look at this decisive result and accept that the future of this project should be decided at a local level rather than a national level.”

Officials in Knowsley had advised the planning committee to approve the scheme because the regeneration benefits outweighed the conflict with the policies.

“The crux of this case is whether the conflicts with policy and the dis-benefits of the scheme relating to 'town centre and retail' considerations outweigh or are outweighed by the benefits associated with 'economic and regeneration' considerations,” they said in a report.

“Overall, it is concluded that the development will deliver a number of benefits that will help address the socio and economic disparities and improve quality of life for the people of Kirkby,” they said in a report.

They were “conscious of the planning weight and importance to be attached to the conflicts with retail and town centre-related policies”.

However, they added: “It is considered that the immediate need for regeneration to address the severe levels of deprivation within Kirkby, the recognition that a 'step-change' is required and the real benefits that have been identified to flow from the scheme are such to outweigh those retail/town centre policy conflicts.”