Early date set for Everton FC Kirkby stadium public inquiry

Aug 19 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC’s bid for a new stadium in Kirkby received a significant boost last night – after an early date was set for a public inquiry into the scheme.

It will start on November 18 and is likely to last up to a month, meaning all legal arguments could be complete by Christmas. Everton is involved in a £400m joint project with Tesco which will include a new stadium, giant supermarket and up to 50 shops.

But the partners were dealt a blow two weeks ago when the Government “called in” the scheme for an inquiry after objec-tions from four neighbouring authorities and several campaign groups. The football club and the council had warned delays could kill off the project, because the financial package underpinning it could be hit by the continuing economic downturn. It meant news of an early inquiry was most welcome, although Everton have still not decided whether to even fight the inquiry.

Club lawyers are compiling a crucial report on whether to continue pressing ahead with its dream move to Kirkby.

Last night, Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said simply: “At the moment, we’re concentrating on signing footballers.”

But Cllr Ron Round, leader of Knowsley Council, said he was pleased the decision had been made quickly and the date was not too far away.

“The council has formally accepted the date and we’re pleased the inquiry will be heard so swiftly. The people of Kirkby deserve a final deci-sion on the regeneration of their town, and holding the inquiry before the end of the year will bring clarity on the future of this development.

“We’ll now be talking to our partners about the next steps in this process.”

Knowsley North and Sefton East MP, George Howarth, also welcomed the date.

He said: “This is good news in that it means the issue will not drag on for months. I’m sure Everton and Tesco will be pleased because it doesn’t keep them in limbo on such an important matter.”

Tesco, which will take up a significant part of the propos-ed 500,000sq ft of retail space in the Destination Kirkby project, asked central government to expedite making their decision.

If ultimately accepted by the inquiry, the shopping development will see Kirkby rise from being 11th biggest shopping centre in the region up to possibly 4th.

Last night, Tesco spokes-man Michael Kissman said: “We asked for them to come through quickly and we’re pleased they have.

“We have been able to move around to accommo-date this date, and we think it is the right date, which will give us the opportunity to move forward. Now we’re going to let the democratic process play out.”

While the council points to May’s local elections as evidence that there is wide-spread support in Kirkby for the regeneration bid – opposition group Ist 4 Kirkby narrowly failed to win a seat – there has been very vocal opposition.

Kirkby Residents Action Group leader Ian Morris welcomed the announcement of a public inquiry date. But the activist raised the spectre of further legal challenges should the inquiry find in favour of the stadium and superstore proposals.

He said: “You only have to look at the Edge Lane inquiry to see how these things can rumble on. I’m sure we will end up in court over compul-sory purchase orders in the future. One thing I do want to stress is the importance of holding the inquiry in Kirkby, rather than in Huyton – to allow residents directly affected to have their say. I’ll be writing to the planning inspectorate to stress the importance of this.”

Everton FC shareholders will be discussing the matter at an extraordinary general meeting on Wednesday, Sept- ember 3, at Goodison Park.

In the meantime, the club is concentrating on giving manager David Moyes a full strength squad after injuries, lack of signings and international duties limited his resources.

THE Daily Post was first with the news again last night when we exclusively revealed the date of the Everton FC inquiry on our website, liverpooldailypost.co.uk – don’t forget to log on for all the breaking news as it hap- pens from across the region.

OPINION: PAGE 10;

EVERTON CONFERENCE: PAGE 17

SPORT: PAGES 37, 40

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