Everton launches stadium consultation
Everton FC will launch a public consultation on its plans for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next month with the club aiming to submit a planning application for the stadium, along with the redevelopment of Goodison Park, in the second half of 2019.
The consultation will launch on Thursday 15 November for a three-week period, and will survey members of the public on their views for the new stadium, as well as the redevelopment of the club’s former stadium at Goodison Park, which could include homes along with health, business, and education facilities.
Named ‘The People’s Project’, there will be consultation events held at a variety of locations including Liverpool One, Liverpool Shopping Park, Birkenhead, and New Brighton. There will also be a fixed public exhibition space at the Blue Base on Salop Street near Goodison Park.
The results of the consultation will feed in to the planning applications for both sites, which are expected to be submitted in the second half of 2019.
There will also be a further public consultation next summer, after which the club will present its proposed design for the stadium along with its proposals for the Goodison Park site.
Overall, the club predicts the new stadium and the redevelopment of Goodison Park could create a £1bn boost to the local economy, around 12,000 construction jobs, and business rates income of £1.4m per year.
Last week, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the stadium was an “opportunity to regenerate on a wider scale” with options surrounding the site including hotels, leisure, and transport links. The club is also understood to have sounded out potential construction partners to deliver the stadium, including Lendlease, which Place North West revealed was in talks with Everton earlier this year.
Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief executive of Everton said: “This consultation marks a very significant moment as we progress with this project. We would like as many people as possible – and not just football fans – to take part and let us know their views.
“Our ambition is not just to create a new home for a very proud and historic football club but also a new landmark stadium, in an iconic setting, which will deliver huge regeneration benefits for the whole of the Liverpool City Region.
“We have deep roots in L4 and are committed to building on the extensive investment we have already made in the area. We are preparing plans to redevelop the existing stadium site to create facilities which will benefit the whole community, creating jobs and improving lives.”
Stadium development director Colin Chong added: “Our proposals are about to enter a new and very important stage as we begin this formal public consultation period. We and our advisers are stepping up our dialogue with a range of stakeholders as we progress our designs.
“We know everyone is very keen to see images of what the stadium might look like and we look forward to sharing them next year. We will abide by a careful and considered process that respects all stakeholders’ interests. This is a multi-faceted project and it is important that we do everything required to ensure our planning application, when it’s made, stands the best chance of success.
“The Club has already carried out a huge amount of work to get us to our current position, making sure any scheme we develop is right for the Club, the fans and for the city region as a whole. This is a long and methodical process and the public consultation forms an important part of this.”
Darran Lawless, development director at Peel Land and Property, for Liverpool Waters said: “Our mission to regenerate and revitalise a once-forgotten area of Liverpool is very much aligned with Everton Football Club’s, which is why we would encourage local people to have their say during this consultation period.
“Developing the stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which sits within our Northern Docks neighbourhood, is just one of many exciting developments happening across our 2.3 km site along Liverpool’s famous waterfront. Being located at Liverpool Waters, will ensure Everton’s new stadium will be well-placed amongst a number of residential, commercial and leisure facilities, which will completely transform this entire area ensuring it is a must visit destination.”
Construction jobs are temporary, and what are the business rates receipts at the moment?
It’s a lot of disruption in more ways than one. It appears to be the only thing that’s been pushed forward by local government. I take it that Liverpool Waters as it should have been (hq offices, other commercial and high density residential) is dead. What would those business rates have been?
The club hasn’t paid anything to deliver a train station on an existing line close to their current location, so what are the odds on them contributing anything of significance to infrastructure here.
This may well get built, and the city may have to settle for just £1.4m in business rates and whatever disruption this brings, but just like the brownfest on Lime Street, the way something potentially game changing for the city has been replaced by something any third rate city can throw up should be seen for what it is.
I’d focus my efforts on that, rather than attending consultations. If this goes ahead, can it please be the last wasted opportunity our city sees? Roll on that selection contest!
By Mike
Well said Mike, this area should be developed with a focus on sustainable and well-paid jobs. Just look at the Kings Dock site with the last prime parcel of land handed over to the LEP chair and his call centre operation. Our leaders talk big but have low aspirations for the city in reality I’m afraid. What are Everton consulting on exactly? And what will the public costs be regarding enabling infrastructure around the proposed ground? No doubt awaiting a nice bung from the SIF that should be going to high-end job projects instead.
By John Smith
Everton FC should abandon the World Heritage problematic Bramley Moore Dock site. Site is too small,with poor transport access. BTW, Bramley Moore Dock is a fully working Dock, not derelict as the media portrays. Garston has the large, vacant, gasworks site, just near Garston Docks. It has a 6-platform hub station 450 yards away a Sth Parkway. Many dual carriageways converge on Garston with even an airport next door at Speke. There is lots of open areas for parking at Garston Docks and Speke. It is very easy to get to.
Garston ticks all the boxes with few problems in getting planning through. If EFC focus on Garston they will have a top quality 62,000 stadium, that is a breeze get to in a matter of a few years.
By John Burns