Public get their chance to have say on EFC plans

Jun 27 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE people of Kirkby were yesterday given the first opportunity to have their say on plans for the town that could include a new Everton FC stadium and giant Tesco store

A two-day consultation began with Knowsley Council urging residents to get involved.

The redevelopment of Kirkby, spearheaded by Tesco, which is acting as developer for the whole project, could create 2,000 jobs in the area and boost the local economy by more than £20m a year should plans go ahead.

If they win favour with the public, a request for planning permission could be submitted within months.

The “masterplan” for Kirkby could also include a new bus station on Cherryfield Drive, and extensive retail development that would bring a range of high street shops to the area.

Chief executive of Knowsley Council Sheena Ramsay said: “I’m hoping this consultation will bring lots of Kirkby residents to see what is on offer, so we can start the debate to find out what sort of future they want for the town centre.

“It is still very early days, but it’s exciting because if we can get this right and people are happy with what we are proposing to do, we can radically change the heart of Kirkby in a really positive way.”

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “What we are trying to do is not only work on the idea for the masterplan, but gauge the support we can get from other retailers.

“Retail can be a real catalyst for regeneration and there are different ways it can be done, and the stadium is just one way.”

Kirkby residents will be given first refusal on job offers and be able to take advantage of training schemes leading to employment according to Tesco, which says it will work with local traders to ensure independent businesses are not pushed out.

The proposed Kirkby store would be one of the company’s biggest. Old Swan-born chief executive Sir Terry Leahy is a committed Everton fan.

Mr Fletcher added: “It is really about making sure that local people get the benefits and showing it can work as part of the community.”

Yesterday, Knowsley Council tried to play down the importance of the proposed 50,000-seater Everton stadium, planned for a site between Bewley Drive and Valley Road, and instead focused on the benefits of regeneration to the whole town centre.

Everton is not taking part in the consultation as its board has not made a final decision on moving to Kirkby, which will also be the subject of a fans’ vote.

If it does not move, an alternative regeneration plan will still go ahead.

Pressure group Keep Everton In Our City yesterday staged a bizarre protest outside the venue by showing residents footage of violence that can happen outside big football matches.

Spokesman Alfie Hincks said: “This is trouble that exists – does it happen? Yes, it does. This is reality. It is not dirty tactics.”

The group said it had conducted a straw poll during the day in which it claimed the majority of residents opposed the stadium plan.

The consultation continues today at the Kirkby Suite, Cherryfield Drive, between noon and 7.30pm. It will then take to the road to ensure as many residents as possible see the plans.

vickyanderson