Everton FC stadium opponents vow to stand against “unhelpful” Kirkby councillors

Feb 1 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

OPPONENTS of Everton’s plans to relocate to Kirkby are planning to oust “unsupportive” councillors at this May’s elections.

Kirkby Residents Action Group (Krag) will ask residents attending tonight’s meeting at the Catholic Holy Angels Church to stand as independent candidates in Knowsley’s local elections.

Krag is strongly opposed to a proposal for a 50,000-seater replacement for Goodison Park in Kirkby, a 24-hour Tesco Extra store and 50 high-street shops south of Cherryfield Drive. Labour members in five Knowsley wards – Cherryfield, Kirkby, Central, Northwood and Shevington – could be at risk.

Ian Williams, group spokesman, said: “What’s been coming back from public meetings, and when we’ve been door-to-door, is people would like to see some opposition in the elections with residents standing in opposition to Everton Football stadium moving to Kirkby.

“As we are an action group not a political party we are going to facilitate the process but we won’t be choosing the candidates.

“There’s going to be a ballot of everyone who attends. Then it’s up to individuals. The action group as an entity won’t be involved, but individual members can do whatever they wish.”

The meeting will be chaired by Anglican vicar of St Chad’s Tim Stafford, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the plans.

Mr Williams expects many at the meeting will criticise the council’s consultation strategy.

He said: “One of the criticisms is that we were never invited to anything.

“So we’ve sent out personal invitations to 66 councillors to hear the views of Kirkby residents and hear the opposition and comment on it because all the way through the process they haven’t asked anyone and have refused to answer questions about the exclusive deal with Tesco or planning detail.

“Councillors should have been able to assist residents to understand what’s going on.”

The group have also re-drafted a formal letter of objection to the planning application. This time, camp- aigners believe they have stuck only to relevant planning objec- tions. In a letter which people attending tonight’s meeting will be encouraged to read and sign the group have objected to what they claim is a departure from Knowsley’s Unitary Development Plan.

They argue the greater part of the site south of Cherry Field Drive has been zoned as urban green space in the plan.

Krag is also determined to force a public inquiry and their letters will be sent to Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, urging her to call the decision in.

richarddown