Council approves Goodison Park demolition as part of Everton’s ‘legacy’ strategy

Plans to demolish Everton’s Goodison Park stadium, following the club’s relocation to its new home currently under construction at Bramley-Moore Dock, have been approved by Liverpool City Council.

The planning committee this morning (May 3) considered proposals by the club to create a ‘legacy’ at the Walton site which has been Everton’s home for 130 years.

Plans for the ground’s demolition and redevelopment were approved, along with proposals for the club’s new £505m, 52,888-seat stadium, at a planning meeting in February, 2021.

But because of the time period that has elapsed since then, the scheme needs to be checked against the council’s newly-adopted local plan.

Also, because demolition can’t begin until the new stadium is ready, the club is seeking an extension to planning permission, with a proposed start date of 2024 and a 2028 completion date.

Everton has pledged to continue consulting with residents, stakeholders and local businesses as the Goodison Park legacy project continues.

Club plans for the Goodison Park site include up to 173 residential units, a care home, community uses, such as education and health and a non residential institution, as well as commercial space, including offices, retail, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways.

Eleven letters were received regarding the demolition plans, four against and seven in support.

Objections included the detrimental economic impact demolition could have on the area, and the loss of a sporting facility.

Expressions in favour included the legacy plans for the local community, and a suggestion of a statue to former world champion boxer, and Everton fan, Tony Bellew, “to celebrate his achievements and as a reminder of the virtues of boxing and its benefits to working class communities”.

Notes to the planning committee said: “The proposal offers a positive reuse of the Goodison Park site and contribution to the economic, social and environmental regeneration for the area and aligns with national and local planning policies, which support regenerative development.

“Conditions are in place to ensure that the development would not take place until the new stadium is operational.”

The planning committee concurred with council officers, and approved the application.

However, moving on to the next item on the agenda, councillors once again voted to ignore the recommendation of planning officers and refused a residential and student accommodation scheme on Falkner Street, Liverpool 8.

Although previously approved in December 2019, the plans were considered at last month’s committee, again, due to time having elapsed.

The proposal, by Falkner Street Developments, was for a five- to six-storey building in the Princes Park ward, providing 105 apartments, and a six-storey building with 63 student apartments, on the site of a probation centre and church.

Local groups spoke out against the scheme, citing loss of trees, conservation issues, traffic and air pollution, and the existing abundance of student accommodation.

Cllr Joe Hanson moved an amendment at last month’s committee to reject the plans on the grounds of lack of parking and residential amenity, which was carried, meaning the application had to return to the committee for it to confirm its decision.

The committee did so, this morning, on the grounds of lack of parking, and the noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties and future occupiers.