Everton FC Kirkby stadium scheme is ‘backed by planners’

Jan 17 2009 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

REGIONAL planners are “broadly supportive” of Everton FC and Tesco’s plans for Kirkby, a lawyer revealed yesterday.

Opponents of the scheme have relied heavily on the fact it contradicts regional planning guidelines.

But yesterday John Barratt, Knowsley Council’s barrister, revealed to the inquiry that the Regional Planning Body had backed the scheme in letters written in February last year.

Opposition experts, however, argue the letters were as critical as they were supportive.

Mr Barratt produced two letters from Paul Entwistle, regional planning officer for the North West Regional Assembly.

A paragraph on retail said: “I am therefore satisfied that the various tests have been satisfied and the proposal is therefore broadly acceptable.”

Mr Barratt said: “This body is the author of the Regional Spacial Strategy. It is therefore the position that is regarded as an informed observation on compliance with those guidelines.

“If it had taken the view that the development had deleterious consequences, it would have said so.

“The board must have had the advice on national policy but was able to say what it did even in respect of the 70,000 sq m proposal – that was reduced to 50,000 sq m in May.”

He made the point in cross -examination of Keith Nutter, a commercial expert for the combined authority objectors who returned to the witness stand yesterday.