Sefton fears TESCO impact

Jan 23 2008 by Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

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

EVERTON’S proposed move to Kirkby could face official opposition from Sefton council amid fears for the borough’s town centres.

Councillors have called for a study on the economic impact of the planned massive Tesco on Aintree racecourse trading estate and Bootle New Strand.

They are also concerned that traffic could swamp streets of nearby Lydiate, Maghull, Bootle and Melling.

Sefton’s leader, Lib Dem councillor Tony Robertson, said the council could object if the study showed parts of the borough might suffer.

He said: “We want to get to the bottom of two issues: the economic impact and traffic and parking.

“We need to understand what the impact of the retail development will be in terms of whether it has a negative impact on retail centres elsewhere in the geographic area or on present retail outlets such as Aintree and Bootle

“What I don’t want to do is achieve significant regeneration in one part of Merseyside, but inadvertently create a negative impact elsewhere.”

Cllr Robertson said Melling residents close to the proposed development off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive were worried about increased traffic heading for Tesco, but also possible parking problems on match days.

He said: “Melling is cheek by jowl with Kirkby and I know it’s of great concern to residents.

“Sefton will be a formal consultee on the planning issues, so we can make it clear we are very unhappy, but I hope we don’t get to that stage.”

But Cllr Robertson said he was very keen to work with Knowsley over the Kirkby plan.

He said: “The councils will work together, rather than the old fashioned Merseyside way of poking each other in the eye.

“No-one wants to stand in the way of the regeneration of Kirkby centre.

“There will be some hard decisions to make, but we can only make those if we are working in a true partnership.”

Lib Dem councillor Jack Colbert, whose Molyneux ward includes Melling, said: “I am looking at the impact the full development will have on Sefton.”