Everton Kirkby inquiry: Stadium too close to homes, claim residents

Jan 30 2009 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

View that residents of Whinberry Drive, Kirkby will have of proposed Everton stadium according to Grange Residents Association 320

THE final evidence submitted at Everton FC and Tesco’s nine week-long public inquiry heard Kirkby residents object to the scheme.

Caroline Pethard, chairwoman of the Grange Residents Association, said the plans would disrupt the lives of those living along Whinberry Drive to the south of the proposed development, both during the building phase and once the 50,000-seater stadium was completed.

She read directly from her written evidence, which was critical of the three attempts developers have had at designing an acoustic bund aimed at cutting down the amount of noise coming from the stadium.

She also complained that the stadium would limit natural light to the homes on the estate.

“It is believed that the planning application fails health and safety guidance in relation to the right to light and visual aspects,” she said.

“Indeed, one of the mitigation measures included in the application is to provide some residents bigger windows just to meet minimum standards in relation to their right to internal lighting allowances.”

Her evidence went on to suggest that no-one had looked to find out how much light would be cut out by the contentious acoustic bund planned for the rear of the houses.

She said: “It is believed that our health is being compromised for the greater good of everyone else.