Minister has final say on Liverpool FC stadium

Nov 6 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

GOVERNMENT minister Hazel Blears will have the final say on Liverpool FC’s £400m stadium plan, even if local politicians today give the go-ahead.

City council planning managers are recommending approval of the ambitious plan for a 60,000 seat stadium on Stanley Park, with work hopefully starting in March.

The club already has permission for a new ground, but a new planning application has been drawn up following the take-over of the club by American business giants George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

When the original plan was debated more than two years ago, the planning committee gave its approval, and it was then forwarded to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for the final go-ahead.

Mr Prescott had the option to call in the plans for a full assessment by the Government, or to call a public inquiry to decide the issue. In the event, he decided not to even call in the plans, leaving the local decision by the planning committee as the deciding factor.

As well as the club undergoing a change of ownership since that decision, the changes in government have also seen a major cabinet reshuffle. The decision will now be in the hands of Mrs Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

If, as is hoped, history repeats itself and there is no government call in, it will pave the way for work to start in the spring.

The fact the scheme has the full support of the Northwest Regional Development Agency and English Partnerships could make the passage through the system easier.

The previous planning consent is valid until 2011, and club officials are hopeful that, as the size of the stadium is the same – a 60,000-seat capacity – there will be no planning hiccup. Liverpool FC’s decision day will start shortly before 10am when Cllr Dave Irving, chairman of the planning committee, and his committee members arrive at 10am to tour Stanley Park and the surrounding streets.

Objectors will be able to speak at the formal meeting which will start at 11.45am at the earliest at the Oakmere Con-ference Centre in Cherry Lane, Anfield.

Larry Neild assesses Liverpool’s plans for Stanley Park

WHEN Americans think, they think big. So it was only to be expected that George Gillett and his business partner, Tom Hicks, would never settle for any ordinary stadium for their newly- acquired soccer team, Liverpool FC.

Their plans, drawn up in conjunction with US based planners, will provide Liverpool with a stadium that will take the breath away.

It will become one of the most photographed structures in Liverpool, a world-famous citadel of sport and leisure.

The existing Anfield ground started life when Queen Victoria was on the thrown, and horse manure on the streets was a far bigger problem than chewing gum.

Flat-capped fans, all looking the same whether they were 10 or 90, marched like matchstick men to the ground to pay Saturday afternoon homage to their heroes on the park.

The existing ground, surrounded as it is by hundreds of terraced homes, does not meet the needs of a 21st century football team, followed by fans in every continent.

Nostalgic it might be, but the old Anfield is showing signs of age. What is on offer today is the chance to propel Liverpool FC on a journey into the future, taking the Anfield community with it.

The add-on – massive improvements to Stanley Park, the creation of Anfield Plaza around the existing ground, will transform a run-down area of the city into an international tourist destination.

Everyone will be a winner if the scheme goes ahead.

* DETAILS of the Planning Committee’s decision will be given on our website, www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk as soon as it is reached.