Everton sets sights on Walton Hall Park move

EVERTON FC and Liverpool City Council have confirmed they are working on plans for a new stadium at Walton Hall Park in north Liverpool.

They say it represents a “transformational regeneration opportunity” but it would mean carving out a chunk of the 120-acre park at the end of the East Lancs Road.

The size of the planned stadium was not mentioned in a statement but the club is widely believed to be looking to replace the 39,000 capacity Goodison Park with a 50,000-seat ground.

A plan to move to Kirkby fell down in 2009 after it was blocked by the previous government on planning grounds. The club is keen to stay within the city boundaries and emulate the partnership between Manchester City FC and the local authority there, which has proved so effective in attracting investment to a run-down part of the city.

The council said the development would incorporate community facilities and retain “significant sections of the park” to provide “better quality and more varied leisure and recreational facilities”.

It added: “The opportunity to incorporate wide-ranging and impactful community benefits including innovative educational, health and lifestyle provision will also be explored.” Liverpool Mutual Homes, the major landlord in the area, is also involved in the proposals.

Liverpol mayor Joe Anderson said: “I am really pleased that we have identified this exciting opportunity for North Liverpool. We know that this is an area of the city that requires substantial investment and this project could bring this in a unique form.

“Everton’s investment into this area would be the catalyst for a development which could make a real difference. We know from other regeneration schemes that opportunities like this can lead to significant economic and social benefits. This scheme would generate significant new job opportunities and also address important social needs such as health and education.”

Club chairman Bill Kenwright added: “On my journey to our home games, as I pass Walton Hall Park, I inevitably think that I am only a minute away from our beloved Goodison for several years now, I’ve also thought, if only it was available for our new stadium, it ticks all the boxes.

“An opportunity to explore the possibility of securing the new home we’ve looked for, for so long, is hugely exciting to me, but to do that in a way that supports, transforms and sustains our local communities, in our Everton heartland, is such a wonderful, added bonus. It would fill me with great pride. It could be something very special for our city, the residents of North Liverpool and all Evertonians – a new home that goes beyond football and does what Everton does better than anyone else.”

The financing would be led by the club and Mr Kenwright conceded this would involve “fixing a huge financial jigsaw”. A planning application might be lodged within the next 12 months.