Everton stadium plan thrown out 26/11/2009 |
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The Government has rejected Everton’s plans for a new £400m stadium and retail development in Kirkby.
The Merseyside club wanted to move from Goodison Park to a new 50,000-seat ground as part of a complex with a Tesco superstore and other shops.
But following a public enquiry, communities secretary John Denham has ruled that the proposals would breach shopping policy which discourages big supermarket chains from taking business away from town and city centres.
Everton are refusing to comment but local MP George Howarth said: “I regret this decision in a time of significant economic challenge to Merseyside.”
However, the news was welcomed by supporters group Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC), who opposed the move out of Liverpool to Kirkby, which is a suburb of Knowsley.
Chairman of KEIOC Dave Kelly added: “We repeatedly questioned the cost of the stadium and the chosen location flew in the face of perceived wisdom. Overall this project represented an unacceptable risk to Everton Football Club.
“The decision should be looked on as a positive – we have been saved from the road to continued mediocrity.
“After a period of calm reflection, we hope Everton have had the foresight to develop a contingency plan that all fans can embrace.”
Everton are desperate to move to a new stadium to keep up with the Premier League’s biggest clubs, who bring in considerably more match day revenue from every home game.
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