Artist's impression of Everton's new stadium & shops in Kirkby _320
However, because of the 500,000sq ft of retail space which would reposition Kirkby from 11th in the shopping hierarchy of the region to possibly 4th, a public inquiry was always a possibility.
The Daily Post revealed in April that a senior government source thought the project would be “called in” for a public inquiry for those very reasons.
Last night, Knowsley Council leader Ron Round said: “We are extremely disappointed as a public inquiry will delay the development – indeed, this delay, in the current economic climate, places the entire project in jeopardy.
“From all of the consultation we have carried out, we believe that the majority of local residents are in favour of transforming Kirkby.
“The local elections in May this year gave the council a clear mandate to continue with the scheme.
“We have searched long and hard for years to attract the right investor to Kirkby, and this scheme cannot be equalled.
“At this point in time, there is no Plan B for Kirkby and no Plan B for Everton Football Club.
“We will do all we can to keep the scheme alive and make sure the future of Kirkby is not put at risk.”
He hit out at neighbouring authorities for objecting to the scheme.
“It is particularly regrettable that some community leaders in Merseyside seemed unable to do the right thing for the Merseyside sub-region, which was to put aside their personal views in relation to Everton Football Club.
“This will only serve to damage the reputation of the region and undermine investment in Merseyside in the future.”
Last night, the other Mersey-side councils denied having done anything wrong and said they had simply applied planning procedures.
Liverpool Council deputy leader Flo Clucas said: “There is nothing for us to apologise for.
“We followed proper planning procedures and put in our objections as we are entitled to do.”
Deputy leader of Sefton Council, Labour’s Peter Dowd, said: “Sefton understands Knowsley Council’s disappoint-ment. However, in such circumstances, it's normal for a development of this nature to be called in by the Government. However, we will participate fully in the inquiry in a positive and constructive fashion.”
Recently departed Everton chief executive Mr Wyness told the Daily Post he was disappointed with the way Liverpool had behaved.
He said: “I am disappointed, I believe it was the right way forward.”
Chief executive of the North West Development Agency, Steve Broomhead, said the announce-ment of a public inquiry was a major blow for regeneration in Knowsley – and Kirkby, in particular.
Last night, a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said less than 0.01% of all planning cases are called in.
He added: “A case is considered to have more than local significance if it triggers one or more of the call-in criteria such as conflict with national policy, or if it causes national or regional controversy.”
