Everton FC’s homes plan refused

Liverpool planning officials have rejected Everton FC's plans to turn its former West Derby training ground into a luxury homes estate.

The joint application by the club and David Wilson Homes was turned down by the planning committee yesterday over fears that there would be no regeneration benefits but plenty of increased traffic.

The refusal comes as a huge blow to the club, which had hoped that the redevelopment would provide 10% of the costs of the new stadium it is planning to build in Kirkby.

Council planners had earlier recommended that the scheme be approved. But 220 residents objected to the plans over concerns that the new homes would increase traffic and put too much pressure on local services.