Councils unite to fight Everton FC Kirkby stadium plan

Sep 26 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON’S plan to build a 50,000-seat stadium in Kirkby will be fought using a £275,000 legal war chest, it emerged last night.

Councils from across Merseyside and Lancashire will spend the six-figure sum when the Destination Kirkby scheme is debated at a planning inquiry.

They will argue the £400m project should be blocked because it threatens to take business away from city centre and high street shops.

Tesco and Knowsley Council – whose planning committee approved the scheme in June – want to build a huge retail complex alongside the stadium.

But the Government called the proposals in for a public inquiry last month.

Sefton, St Helens, West Lancashire and Lancashire councils will pool their resources and be represented by one barrister when the inquiry starts on November 18.

Liverpool has decided to appoint its own counsel, saying its objections need arguing separately.

Destination Kirkby was called in to an inquiry by the Government.

In a report to go before Sefton’s cabinet next Thursday, the borough’s planning and economic regeneration director, Andy Wallis, estimates the cost of legal counsel will be £100,000. He added the four authorities will also pitch in a total of £75,000 for specialist retail advice.

It is understood Liverpool City Council is preparing to spend a further £100,000 on its counsel, but will be acting alone.