Shock as council rejects LFCs plans to stage other sporting events at Anfield
Councillors delivered a blow to Liverpool FC’s plans to hold other sporting events at its Anfield stadium by rejecting its proposals in today’s planning committee meeting.
The club had applied for permission to stage sporting events such as rugby league, boxing and American football.
It also wants to stage music events, around 10 a year, but this application was today deferred and will be considered at a later date.
But there were stunned faces in the council chamber at Liverpool Town Hall when the Reds’ bid to stage sporting events at their stadium fell.
Club representatives came in for criticism from councillors after more than 10 speeches from nearby residents – considered a lot for a meeting of this type – revealed major concerns among neighbours.
Many neighbours said they had felt left out of the club’s plans for more than a decade.
The Liverpool ECHO reported one as saying that in recent years matches have been spread across a wider range of days, and there is more chance that they might be held on weekdays.
She says this can make it difficult to plan around and is worried it will get worse if more events can be held.
Councillor Doyle's motion to reject LFC's plans to hold other sporting events has gone through – LFC will not be able to hold other sports events as it stands.
— Nick Tyrrell (@NCTyrrell) August 28, 2018
A neighbour, who has lived in Anfield her whole life, said the number of fans at Champions League matches last season meant she and her children were “fearful” – something she said has never happened before to her.
They think this will get worse with further events of this type.
Cllr Dave Cummings said the information he’d heard from neighbours this morning made him more likely to vote against the proposals – he revealed he had previously been largely in favour.
He added that concerns about anti-social behaviour were the most worrying things he’d heard – and said the club hasn’t been dealing with residents properly on this issue.
In response, a club representative said they will respond to the problems neighbours have raised, adding that there are avenues for residents to get in touch with the club about problems they are experiencing.
However, Cllr Cummings accused her of failing to answer his question on how the club was dealing with concerns raised by neighbours this morning.
When the club’s plans were put to the vote councillors narrowly backed Cllr Harry Doyle to reject the proposals for other sporting events by four votes to three.
