EFC Stadium, design, Kirkby 11 _200
Planning inspector Wendy Burden asked whether selling the land with planning permission on the open market would have generated higher values for the council.
The present arrangement will see Tesco pay a lower rate for undeveloped land.
But Martin Kingston, QC, speaking on behalf of Knowsley Council, said: “The land is not simply being sold off, it’s being sold within a complex transaction with a series of covenants with Tesco that are being passed on to the club.”
Ms Ramsey added that the council had been advised by a series of experts, including the district auditor, that this was an appropriate land deal for this development.
She also emphasised that the key objective for the entire scheme was to help Kirkby undergo a transformation that would attract investors.
She drew attention to Kirkby Market, which will see a total of £500,000 invested in a modernisation scheme.
The council said it was “a clear demonstration of Knowsley Council’s commitment to regenerate all parts of Kirkby town centre.”
