Everton FC Kirkby stadium scheme in jeopardy

May 8 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

PLANS for Everton FC’s new stadium in Kirkby could be “killed off” if the scheme is called in for a public inquiry, says the chief executive of Knowsley.

The warning comes after Sefton council’s planning committee, as expected, formally objected to the plan last night.

Sheena Ramsey said plans for the £400m Tesco-led scheme, which includes a new 50,000-seat Everton stadium, would be severely jeopardised by a government call-in, almost certainly delaying the project by up to a year.

Her comments come days after Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness admitted he was concerned about the effect of a potential Government-run inquiry.

The stark warnings are based on the darkening economic outlook. It is indicated that the money assembled for this scheme, both by Everton and Tesco, will not be available indefinitely. They point to the impact of the credit crunch elsewhere.

Ms Ramsey is making everyone aware that the stakes could not be higher, believing that not only the major redevelopment of Kirkby, but the whole credibility of the Merseyside City Region, is on the line.

Knowsley officials believe the scheme is a crucial test of whether the different councils on Merseyside can recognise that the proposal is good for the sub- region as a whole.

Ms Ramsey dismisses any hopes of reviving a joint Liverpool/Everton stadium plan as “bizarre”.

Ms Ramsey said: “This is a huge opportunity to show Westminster, which sees Merseyside as dysfunctional, that we can get our act together.”

Yesterday, the Daily Post revealed how Liverpool City Council had deferred a potential objection to the bid because Tesco had agreed to slash the retail element of the plan by 25%.

But last night members of Sefton council planning committee went ahead and unanimously lodged an objection to the scheme, in line with off- icers’ recommendations. This decision, however, was based on Tesco’s original proposal, rather than the revised scheme.

The question is whether the plan for a stadium, Tesco superstore and shops in Kirkby town centre can be accommodated without unduly affecting retailers in Sefton, St Helens, Skelmersdale (which has its own major retail plans), and Liverpool One.

Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We remain hopeful that the application will go straight through without being called in.

“But we’ve outlined the possible consequences of such a call-in. Before all that, we must wait to see what the borough council’s planning department has to say.”

Michael Kissman, of Tesco, said: “I don’t think anyone here wants to jeopardise this. This is something Kirkby has not seen for a generation.”

Speaking last month, Mr Wyness said: “We are concerned about the long-term ramifications of a Government call-in.”

richarddown