Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley last night revealed he is still working on a plan for a joint stadium for Liverpool and Everton football clubs in the city.
The Lib-Dem leader’s revelation came after opposition Labour leader Joe Anderson urged the ruling group to make a last-ditch effort to stop Everton going to Kirkby by enabling the redevelopment of Goodison Park.
Last night, Cllr Bradley told the Daily Post: “I’d back the redevelopment of Goodison first and foremost as an Everton season ticket holder, but you can’t unless Everton make a commitment.
“If they want to come to the table, we’re always ready and willing.
“I’ve also been working behind the scenes on a joint Liverpool and Everton stadium. I’ve talked to the sports minister and to the NWDA and I’ve spoken to Bill Kenwright.
“We’re also opposing the Kirkby bid on planning grounds.”
Liverpool FC has planning permission for a new 61,000 stadium in Stanley Park but no work has started yet.
Fans have strongly opposed any joint stadium proposals.
Knowsley Council had hoped changes to the planned £400m joint Tesco/Everton development in Kirkby – including reducing the retail element by around 25% – would stop Liverpool Council object- ing to the project, but it seems that has been unsuccessful.
The more objections filed, the more likely it is that a time- consuming and possibly fatal “call-in” for government scrutiny will materialise.
Joe Anderson made his call for Liverpool to fight harder to keep Everton in the city as Knowsley planners prepare to assess the club’s Kirkby plans.
A report circulated to planning members suggests that the application could be seen in the early part of June.
The planning agenda for May 29 outlines a proposed change in procedure as a one-off mea- sure to accommodate the vast levels of interest in the plans.
The agenda sets out that any- one wishing to speak in the planning debate must give a response by June 5: “The plan- ning committee will meet shortly after that deadline to examine the proposals.”
But Cllr Anderson believes extending the footprint of Goodison Park is a viable alternative to relocation to Knowsley.
He said: “Liverpool Council owns some of the land surrounding Goodison Park and so we should be trying to negotiate with Everton about what can be done there.
“It’s a crazy situation. The city council is sitting back and letting a multi-million pound business move away from the city and not doing anything about it.
“Historically, this club has always been in the heart of Liverpool and my true belief is that this council should be negotiating with Everton Football Club to achieve a status to keep the club in the city.
“Everton needs a Plan B and we should be talking to them about that now.”
But Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross last night said the city had not come up with a viable alternative.
“We’ve always been open to approaches and negotiations with Liverpool City Council.: “Unfortu- nately (the city) have been un- able to put anything to us that in any way matches the current proposed Kirkby project.” “A wide variety of people have suggested the city council should come forward with a plan for us to look at but the simple truth is that they haven’t.
The Destination Kirkby plans have pro- ven so unpopular that 1,186 people have signed a Downing Street petition demanding the club’s planning application be called in by the Government.
The A total of 1,186 people have backed the submission attacks the proposals for breaking with Knowsley’s Unitary Development Plan.
However anti-stadium campaigners narrowly failed to win any seat at the recent local elections.
The Lib-Dem leader’s revelation came after opposition Labour leader Joe Anderson urged the ruling group to make a last-ditch effort to stop Everton going to Kirkby by enabling the redevelopment of Goodison Park.
Last night, Cllr Bradley told the Daily Post: “I’d back the redevelopment of Goodison first and foremost as an Everton season ticket holder, but you can’t unless Everton make a commitment.
“If they want to come to the table, we’re always ready and willing.
“I’ve also been working behind the scenes on a joint Liverpool and Everton stadium. I’ve talked to the sports minister and to the NWDA and I’ve spoken to Bill Kenwright.
“We’re also opposing the Kirkby bid on planning grounds.”
Liverpool FC has planning permission for a new 61,000 stadium in Stanley Park but no work has started yet.
Fans have strongly opposed any joint stadium proposals.
Knowsley Council had hoped changes to the planned £400m joint Tesco/Everton development in Kirkby – including reducing the retail element by around 25% – would stop Liverpool Council object- ing to the project, but it seems that has been unsuccessful.
The more objections filed, the more likely it is that a time- consuming and possibly fatal “call-in” for government scrutiny will materialise.
Joe Anderson made his call for Liverpool to fight harder to keep Everton in the city as Knowsley planners prepare to assess the club’s Kirkby plans.
A report circulated to planning members suggests that the application could be seen in the early part of June.
The planning agenda for May 29 outlines a proposed change in procedure as a one-off mea- sure to accommodate the vast levels of interest in the plans.
The agenda sets out that any- one wishing to speak in the planning debate must give a response by June 5: “The plan- ning committee will meet shortly after that deadline to examine the proposals.”
But Cllr Anderson believes extending the footprint of Goodison Park is a viable alternative to relocation to Knowsley.
He said: “Liverpool Council owns some of the land surrounding Goodison Park and so we should be trying to negotiate with Everton about what can be done there.
“It’s a crazy situation. The city council is sitting back and letting a multi-million pound business move away from the city and not doing anything about it.
“Historically, this club has always been in the heart of Liverpool and my true belief is that this council should be negotiating with Everton Football Club to achieve a status to keep the club in the city.
“Everton needs a Plan B and we should be talking to them about that now.”
But Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross last night said the city had not come up with a viable alternative.
“We’ve always been open to approaches and negotiations with Liverpool City Council.: “Unfortu- nately (the city) have been un- able to put anything to us that in any way matches the current proposed Kirkby project.” “A wide variety of people have suggested the city council should come forward with a plan for us to look at but the simple truth is that they haven’t.
The Destination Kirkby plans have pro- ven so unpopular that 1,186 people have signed a Downing Street petition demanding the club’s planning application be called in by the Government.
The A total of 1,186 people have backed the submission attacks the proposals for breaking with Knowsley’s Unitary Development Plan.
However anti-stadium campaigners narrowly failed to win any seat at the recent local elections.
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