Everton and Tesco insist on financial secrecy over new stadium

Nov 6 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

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

Mr Clarkson said: “Our case is that the judgment lies on whether there is regeneration, and is the regeneration good enough? Then we say that, whatever way it’s approached, there will be regeneration sufficient to allow the planning application.”

But it wasn’t just the applicants that were accused of withholding information that could be important.

Steven Harrison, who was one of 70 members of the public at the inquiry, argued that the council had suppressed alternative solutions to revamp Kirkby’s town centre.

In common with five separate parties includ-ing Sefton and Liver-pool councils, former Knowsley councillor Peter Fisher, campaign-ers Keep Everton In Our City and Kirkby Action Group, Mr Harrison had been refused documents relating to the redevelopment.

His complaint surrounds Knowsley council’s biggest ever consultation including a survey called Your Kirkby, Your Future.

He added: “I under-stand the council received 950 responses but the full results have never been released.”

The full inquiry begins on November 18.