Unanimous approval for new Liverpool FC stadium

Nov 7 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

Latest artist's impression of Liverpool's new stadium on Stanley Park (320)

LIVERPOOL FC last night won the go-ahead for an iconic £400m stadium on Stanley Park.

Planning councillors unanimously approved a revised scheme put forward after the takeover of the club by US businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry said building work on the 60,000-seater stadium could start as early as next spring – but he admitted the new ground was unlikely to open before the start of the 2011-12 season.

That final delivery deadline, a year after initially projected, will only be met provided Communities Secretary Hazel Blears does not intervene to force a judicial review.

The city’s planning committee called on the council to impose a minimum £100 fine on fans who park illegally on match days, in response to fears of increased traffic chaos.

Speaking from Anfield before last night’s 8-0 Champions League thrashing of Turkish team Besik- tas, Mr Parry paid tribute to the efforts of Hicks and Gillett. “We’re setting our sights high,” he said, adding a message to fans: “It’s not about building monuments, it’s about generating revenues to make sure we are competitive.”

• * Spring start for new LFC stadium - to be completed by 2011

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