Everton’s new £500m stadium given go-ahead by Council Planners
Liverpool Council City planners have unanimously given the go-ahead to Everton Football Club’s £500m arena in Liverpool’s northern docklands.
Image of Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock
Liverpool City Council’s planning committee gave the green light to the project at a specially convened meeting today (Tuesday 23 February 2021)
The councillors are still considering an outline plan to transform the club’s current stadium at Goodison Park in Walton into a legacy project comprising affordable housing, a multi-purpose health centre, community-led retail spaces, a youth enterprise zone, office and business facilities and green space.
In their near 200-page report, the council planners said the stadium proposal is a “significant event in the history of the city” and “is a major decision for the local planning authority.”. It points out the project has broad public support and “would open up access to the part of the WHS which is not currently available to the public”.
Everton hopes to begin work at Bramley Moore Dock within Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters project by the summer. Its 150-week, 12 stage plan could see the Blues kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season in their new home. It is estimated it will deliver £1.3bn in benefits to the economy, more than 15,000 jobs, during construction and afterwards, and an extra £1.7m in business rates.
However, final sign-off is still needed from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, who will review the application. This process typically takes no more than 21 days although it can take a little longer. A spokesperson said:
“We’re in a good place from a funding perspective. We are where we want to be. It will be privately funded through a funding partner.”
The council revealed that it has received more than 2,000 comments in support of the club’s proposals – and only three objections.
It also reveals that the scheme’s design is praised, especially how it sits alongside other heritage assets in the North Docks area.
Also, the inclusivity of the stadium design is praised by the Everton Disabled Supporters’ Association and the Corporate Access Forum.
Once built, the 52,888-capacity stadium will be able to host four major non-football events (concerts or other sporting events) as well as conferences, exhibitions, banqueting, weddings and tours throughout the year.
The club says the new stadium will be the most sustainable in the Premier League. It will harness the natural elements around the stadium sun, water, wind and rain to create energy and reduce energy consumption. There will also be charging points for electric vehicles in the car park and cycle spaces.
For more information visit The People’s Project website.