Sefton Council 'bounced' into opposing Blues stadium plan

Sep 4 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

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

SEFTON council was “bounced” into opposing Everton and Tesco’s plans for a giant development in Kirkby, its leader claimed today.

Cllr Tony Robertson said the lack of time given to neighbouring boroughs to consider the plans meant they had little choice but formally to oppose them.

Sefton, Liverpool, St Helens and West Lancashire councils all raged about the £400m scheme to Knowsley and Government Office North West (GONW). They said the huge influx of shops would attract shoppers away from centres like Liverpool, Southport and Ormskirk.

Their criticism contributed to GONW’s decision to “call in” the plans to a public inquiry. A planning inspector will open an inquiry in November and the delays are predicted to add £6m to the cost of the scheme.

Cllr Robertson’s comments came during a discussion at Sefton’s Cabinet meeting today about the difference between the council’s reaction to Destination Kirkby and Project Jennifer, which would see a 45-acre site between Scotland Road and Great Homer Street developed into houses, shops, a hotel and transport interchange.

Although the latter scheme could hit trading in nearby Bootle, Sefton did not formally object to it.