Liverpool FC moves to detailing stage with £50m redevelopment

Liverpool FC’s proposed plans to redevelop its Academy site at Kirkby moved forwards yesterday after Knowsley Council’s planning committee approved an outline application.

The club’s vision is to bring its first-team and Academy football training operations and facilities together on one site in Kirkby.

The proposal includes the construction of a combined training centre, the redevelopment of the existing facilities at the Academy and designs to convert the main pitch into an indoor pitch. The plans also include improvements to the community playing fields at Simonswood Lane.

Peter Moore, LFC’s chief executive officer, said: “Today’s approval by KMBC is another step on the journey in achieving our vision to bring our first-team players and young players together on one site.

“We have received positive feedback from local residents and businesses on our proposals during the public consultation earlier this year and we thank them for their continued support.

“As part of the planning process, we will now submit more detail on the scheme to KMBC before we have the certainty that we need to progress with the redevelopment of the site.”

The club has said the existing training ground at Melwood, in West Derby is not big enough to accommodate modern training facilities. The land to be sold could accommodate 160 family houses.

The architect is KSS.