New Everton football stadium approved by planners
A new stadium for Everton Football Cub has been given the unanimous all-clear by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee.
The stadium is part of the 8.7 hectare Bramley Moore Dock site, which sits within Peel L&P’s wider Liverpool Waters scheme.
As well as a near-53,000 seat football stadium for the club, the redevelopment will include exhibition space in the refurbished, Grade II listed Hydraulic Engine House. The plans have undergone several changes since late 2019.
A new stadium for Everton Football Cub has been given the unanimous all-clear by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee.
The stadium is part of the 8.7 hectare Bramley Moore Dock site, which sits within Peel L&P’s wider Liverpool Waters scheme.
As well as a near-53,000 seat football stadium for the club, the redevelopment will include exhibition space in the refurbished, Grade II listed Hydraulic Engine House. The plans have undergone several changes since late 2019.
The plans have proved controversial, not least due to the fact that the site is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, leading to concerns that the waterfront development could risk the city’s heritage status.
UNESCO said that the stadium plans would have “a completely unacceptable major adverse impact on the authenticity, integrity and outstanding universal value of the WHS property”. Historic England said although “football has always formed a defining part of Liverpool’s identity and is undoubtedly a key part of the city’s unique and fascinating history”, the development will result in “substantial harm” to its listed surroundings and suggested the plans be refused.
However, members of the planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposal. Its officers argued that the damage to heritage assets was “justified” given the economic and social benefits that will stem from the development.
During the debate, councillor Joe Hanson said: “The docks are important but shouldn’t be allowed to stand in the way of progress”, adding that the scheme will have “a massive impact” on the local community and that refusing it would “deprive an area of good quality employment”.
Following the approval, Peel L&P director of development Darran Lawless said: “Everton’s new stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the whole city and a major catalyst for not only the Liverpool Waters development but the regeneration of the northern part of the city and Goodison Park.
“These plans complement our own efforts to make the entirety of Liverpool’s waterfront a place for thriving businesses and communities by creating thousands of new jobs, new homes and a destination for world class leisure and tourism.”
The scheme will now be referred to Robert Jenrick.
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Image © The People’s Project
