Everton Kirkby Project

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Everton Kirkby Project


caption = The stadium will be part of a £400 million development
fullname = TBA
location = Kirkby, Merseyside, England
built = Awaiting Approval
opened = If approved, 2010
renovated =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Everton F.C.
operator = Knowsley Council
surface = Grass
construction_cost = £130,000,000 construction cost, part of a £400 million development [ [http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=everton-s-kirkby-stadium-all-eyes-now-on-public-inquiry-calls&method=full&objectid=21050399&siteid=50061-name_page.html Everton's Kirkby stadium: All eyes now on public inquiry calls] ]
architect = Barr Construction (Stadium Build & Design)
KSS (Interior Suites)
former_names =
tenants = Everton F.C. (after construction)
seating_capacity = 50,401
dimensions =

The Kirkby Project is the official project name and New Goodison is the unofficial name given by some Everton supporters for the planned new stadium in Kirkby. The stadium's naming rights will be sold to a commercial entity at a later date. The stadium's capacity is planned to be 50,401. [cite web
work= Knowsley.gov.uk
url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/225311/kirkby_flyer_1.pdf
title= Planning Application - Major development in Kirkby
accessyear= 2008
accessdate= Winter] , originally stadium capacity was reported as 55,000.

Kirkby Golf Course and King's Dock

In 1996, Everton FC under Peter Johnson released plans to relocate Everton to a new stadium on the site of Kirkby Golf Course.

An fan-funded organisation was set up by supporters called 'Goodison For Everton' who later commissioned the Architects behind Twickenham's redevelopment for a feasibility report which supports the view that Goodison Park can be redeveloped. [cite web | title=Goodison Park Redevelopment Feasibility Study| work = Goodison For Everton |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/2259978/Goodison-For-Everton-Study ]

In 2000, Everton released plans for a proposed new 50,000 seat stadium that would form part of the King's Dock development in Liverpool on the Mersey front.

A ballot of supporters at this time found that, of those questioned, 85% would prefer to leave Goodison Park for a new stadium. As part of the proposal, Everton would be granted "preferred bidder" status and would contribute £30m towards the project. However, the club failed to raise the money necessary and were forced to pull out of the project in 2003.

There were rumours that Everton's preference for a new stadium site was Stanley Park but council records show that Everton have never made a formal enquiry about the availability of land.

tand Capacities

These are approximate for Planning Statement purposes and include general spectators,hospitality, directors, disabled, press and media but exclude players. [cite http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/223100/StandCapacities.pdf]

Ground-Share

In 2005, with the announcement that Liverpool were planning a new stadium to replace Anfield, Everton met with the then Sports Minister Richard Caborn, the city council and representatives of Liverpool to discuss the possibility of a ground-share. This proposal was however not greeted with significant enthusiasm by either club, and so Liverpool have continued the project alone. [cite web | title=Rivals Liverpool and Everton mull stadium share | work = Allbusiness |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4559758-1.html | accessdate=November 6 | accessyear=2007 ] .

The ground share idea was reintroduced in 2008 when Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley told the local press that he had been working on it behind the scenes. [cite web | title=Warren Bradley: We’re still working on shared stadium for Everton and Liverpool FC| work = Liverpool Echo |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/05/27/warren-bradley-we-re-still-working-on-shared-stadium-for-everton-and-liverpool-fc-100252-20978954/| accessdate=May 27 | accessyear=2008 ] . Liverpool's Rick Parry and Everton's Keith Wyness have both dismissed the idea as a non-starter.

Early move plans

In December 2004, Everton again began looking at the possibility of leaving Goodison Park for a new stadium. In 2006, two possibilities of a location for the ground being in Liverpool [cite web | title=Everton offered 2 sites in Liverpool | work = icLiverpool |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0150kingsdock/tm_headline=city-offers-2-sites-to-blues%26method=full%26objectid=17610570%26siteid=50061-name_page.html | accessdate=December 11 | accessyear=2006 ] and another possible location in Kirkby (in the neighbouring borough of Knowsley) were put forward. [cite web | title=Everton offered Kirkby site | work = icLiverpool |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0150kingsdock/tm_headline=everton-offered-move-to-kirkby%26method=full%26objectid=17151679%26siteid=50061-name_page.html | accessdate=December 11 | accessyear=2006 ] Everton said at their AGM they have signed an exclusive deal to look at the Kirkby proposal but will not move out of the city without the fans backing. [cite web | title=Fans to get their say | work = Everton F.C. Official site |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/fans-will-have-their-say-on-any-move.html | accessdate=December 11 | accessyear=2006 ] On the February 7 2007 Everton submitted their initial proposals to Knowsley Council, with a preferred location being next to Knowsley Community College. [cite web | title=Initial Kirkby proposals submitted to Knowsley | work= |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/initial-kirkby-proposals-submitted-to-knowsley.html?page=0 | accessdate=February 8 | accessyear=2007 ]

The Kirkby option includes a stadium designed loosely on that of FC Köln's stadium in Germany used in World Cup 2006. It would include backing from Terry Leahy the CEO of the supermarket chain Tesco [cite web | title=Everton may move out of Liverpool | work = BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6170725.stm | accessdate=December 11 | accessyear=2006 ] and would include a Tesco supermarket, a hotel, high street shops and extensive car parking. [cite web | title=Kirkby proposal | work = icLiverpool |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0150kingsdock/tm_headline=blues-choose-kirkby-site%26method=full%26objectid=17235256%26siteid=50061-name_page.html | accessdate=December 11 | accessyear=2006 ]

The other tangible benefit would be for England's bid for the 2018 World Cup. FIFA rules dictate that only one city can have two host stadia, and no other city can have more than one. Everton's new stadium would be able to host matches as it would fall outside the city limits, however the current plans fail to meet FIFA's recommendations due to the distance between the stadium and the available car parking.

The stadium will include a conference centre that will be used by Knowsley Council.

Controversy

. A club official said '"He was not aware of the wording on the banner when the photograph was taken.'" [cite web
url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0150kingsdock/tm_headline=bid-to-keep-efc-in-city-will-step-up-a-gear-as-campaigners-explain-their-8216-plan-b-8217&method=full&objectid=19553136&siteid=50061-name_page.html
title=Bid to keep EFC in city will step up a gear as campaigners explain their ‘Plan B’
work=Liverpool Echo
accessdate=August 1
accessyear=2007] . David Moyes has never publicly commented.

The Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley referred to the Everton's proposed stadium in Kirkby as "a cow shed in a small town". [cite web
url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/07/27/bradley-blasted-for-cow-shed-efc-comments-64375-19526828/
title=Bradley blasted for 'cow shed' EFC comments
work=Liverpool Daily Post
accessdate=July 27
accessyear=2007]

Keith Wyness met with Liverpool City Council to discuss an alternative site within the city in the Everton district adjacent to Scotland Road on land known as the 'loop' next to the Wallasey Tunnel. However he dismissed it as he did not believe it would have the potential for a 75,000 capacity stadium. [ cite web
url = http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2007/11/22/everton-stadium-could-grow-to-75-000-64375-20144018/
title = Everton stadium could grow to 75,000
work = Liverpool Daily Post
accessdate =22 November
accessyear =2008] . The figure of 75,000 had never been spoken of prior to this meeting.

Location

Location map many | Merseyside
label=Goodison Park
position=right
lat=53.4388
long=-2.96639
label2=Kirkby Stadium
pos2=right
lat2=53.4789
long2=-2.89274
width=250
label3=Liverpool City Centre
pos3=right
lat3=53.405
long3=-2.98259
caption=Position of proposed stadium in relation to Goodison Park and Liverpool City Centre

The site for proposed stadium is 4 miles from Goodison Park in the suburb of Kirkby (population 42,000). A number of fans are opposed to the relocating Everton F.C. to Kirkby for varying reasons. The most common reason given is that Kirkby is technically outside of the Liverpool boundary and, because it is 6 miles from the city centre, public transport for spectators is more limited. Conversely, it is perceived by some that Liverpool's city boundaries are outdated. Kirkby and areas of south Sefton and Knowsley are part of the Liverpool conurbation and a large percentage of Everton's fans are from these areas.

The stadium was praised as being the "best served transportation wise of any stadium in the north west if not the UK" by Steer Davies Gleave, the company responsible for the transport arrangements at major stadiums in the country (notably Wembley Stadium and Emirates Stadium), but some fans have grown to be wary of the claim.

The location is near a good road network, close to the M57. Junctions four and six of the M57 will be improved if the 'Destination Kirkby' project is approved. There is a substantial bus network already provided in the centre of Kirkby close by. Kirkby railway station is a short distance away has a direct access to Liverpool and Manchester city centres. The club are also paying for additional bus services to take fans to and from the stadium before and after each game. It is also predicted that the transport infrastructure will be forced to improve once the stadium has been built in Kirkby. The Merseytram is an example of this. The stadium will also increase chance that the Merseytram project will be successful because of the demand that will be created.

Opinion is equally divided between Kirkby residents on the project. Some believe that the associated traffic problems will bring the town centre to a stand-still, whilst others believe the stadium will be a catalyst for the town's regeneration.boss kidda

Keep Everton In Our City Campaign

At a meeting of some Evertonians on the 10th March, 2007 a movement named Keep Everton In Our City was inaugurated, with the stated aim of preventing Everton Football Club moving to a site that they did not feel was adequate for a Premier league football club for varying reasons.

Liverpool Council Leader, Liberal Democrat Warren Bradley, was in attendance and stated that the City Council have a strong desire to keep Everton Football Club within the city. [cite web | title=Keep Everton In Our City | work = NSNO |url=http://www.nsno.co.uk/news.php?item.2426.1 | accessdate=March 16 | accessyear=2007 ] He and Joe Anderson, leader of the opposition Labour group, later accused the previous council of 'shame' in not doing enough to keep Everton within the city boundaries. [cite web | title=Council accused of shame | work = icliverpool |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0100news/tm_headline=city-council-accused-over-shame-of-everton-move%26method=full%26objectid=19478688%26siteid=50061-name_page.html| accessdate=July 20 | accessyear=2007 ]

Former Everton players have backed the KEIOC movement including ex-Everton fans favourite Duncan Ferguson, [cite web | title=Dunc backs campaign | work = icLiverpool |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=ex%2Deverton-icon-backs-battle-to-keep-club-in-city%26method=full%26objectid=18860128%26siteid=50061-name_page.html | accessdate=April 04 | accessyear=2007] Tony Kay, [cite web | title=Tony Kay wants Everton to stay | work = NSNO |url=http://www.nsno.co.uk/news.php?item.2550.55 | accessdate=May 12 | accessyear=2007] , Graham Stuart, Barry Horne and Ronnie Goodlass.

Officials at the club had threatened the campaigners with legal action for content on their website which suggested that Everton had neglected the possibility of a stadium on Scotland Road, embarrassingly the club's solicitors had sent the threat to a dentist in Japan with a similar website domain. [cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/05/08/everton-fc-send-legal-letter-to-japanese-dental-practice-100252-20879224/|work=Liverpool Echo|title=Everton FC send legal letter to Japanese Dental Practise] . No legal action has been taken because the KEIOC campaign removed or amended the offending material.

Naming Rights

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright had previously said that naming rights would not be sold when pushing for the Kings Dock Arena project, he had wanted to call it "New Goodison". Some fans were surprised when it was announced that Everton FC are looking to sell naming rights for the proposed new stadium.

The Club's press officer Ian Ross said that the club could obtain up to £6million per annum for the naming rights. [cite web | title=Everton FC Stadium: The Trust Cost| work = Liverpool Echo|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2008/04/22/new-everton-fc-stadium-the-true-cost-100252-20800908/ | accessdate=May 22 | accessyear=2008 ]

He said: "We are currently in the throes of finding the best naming rights deal. That has involved meeting some of the biggest companies in the world."

"We could be looking at deals which generate maybe £5m or £6m a year. As Keith Wyness has hinted already, the whole thing could be self-financing."

Earlier Robert Elstone, the club's deputy Chief Executive Officer had said the figure would be closer to £4.5million per annum. [cite web | title=Everton hunt £60million new ground sponsor| work = Liverpool Daily Post|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2008/05/07/everton-hunt-60million-new-ground-sponsor-64375-20871677/ | accessdate=May 7 | accessyear=2008 ]

However, not all fans are convinced. A KEIOC spokesman said "We would suggest this is hugely optimistic, given that Arsenal, a top four, consistent Champions League entrant based in a capital city, receive only £3.3m per year for their stadium deal alone."

CABE

In March 2008, a government body, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment issued a report that stated:

"This scheme does not meet the criteria in terms of design quality set out in PPS1 and we do not think that it should receive planning permission." [cite web | title=Kirkby Masterplan| work = CABE |url=http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2429&field=sitesearch&term=kirkby&type=0 | accessdate=Mar 13 | accessyear=2008] .

Objections

A number of local authorities objected to the scheme including Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council, West Lancashire Council and St Helens Council as they felt that the accompanying retail park would have a detrimental effect to towns in their area. The objections led to more controversy as Knowsley councillor Eddie Connor publicly stated that Liverpool political party leaders Warren Bradley and Joe Anderson should not have been able to address their planning committee's due to their footballing allegiance (Everton FC).

Joe Anderson responded angrily to the suggestion that he was putting football before his civic duty and responded "Let me be clear to both EFC and Knowsley Council, you will not silence me on speaking out and representing what I believe to be in the best interests of the people of Liverpool, that is what I am elected to do." [cite web | title=Best Interests| work = Liverpool Daily Post Letters page |url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/letters-to-editor/2008/06/06/no-need-for-objections-64375-21032518/ | accessdate=June 7 | accessyear=2008]

The Duke of Westminster's company Grosvenor and St. Modwen also lodged objections.

Rebranding

Knowsley Council announced that they are looking to brand itself as the 'home' of Everton FC, to help boost the national profile of Knowsley. (The council currently does this on the M57 motorway with hoardings advertising the borough as home of QVC).

"7.12 If Kirkby and Knowsley became the home and 'partner' of Everton FC, the borough would be in line to receive a significant amount of publicity on an international stage. The exact details of the new Premier League TV deal are still to be finalised and there will need to be discussions between the Council and Everton over the branding and media links between the two parties. Issues are likely to include how Knowsley brands itself as "The Home of Everton FC"'

They also intend to move Everton's charity 'Everton in the community' to offices in Knowsley.

"Further community benefits from the redevelopment include the new civic facilities, including a library and gallery, and the provision of community services by Everton in the Community from a new local base" [cite web | title=Regeneration Benefits| work = Knowsley Council|url=http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/resources/228342/RegenerationBenefitsRevised.pdf | accessdate=Apr 08| accessyear=2008] .

Ownership

Knowsley Council will be the stadium operators and they will directly negotiate the sub-lease terms with Everton. Keith Wyness, the club's CEO has stated Everton will pay a "peppercorn rent" [cite web | title=Everton stadium question and answers plans | work = Evertonfc.com |url=http://stadium.evertonfc.com/news/questions-answered.php] but has not given an exact sum. Tesco will sign a 999 year lease for the land from Knowsley Council and Everton FC will sub-lease from supermarket giants Tesco.

Proposed plans

On 20th July 2007 the proposed stadium plans were produced for the Kirkby option. However prior to this Everton conducted a ballot to decide if it was the best option would be held with eligible voters being current season ticket holders, individuals who have had a season ticket in the last three years, adult Evertonia members and shareholders. Complimentary season ticket holders were not eligible to vote. [cite web | title=Major Announcement | work = Official Site |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/major-announcement.html | accessdate=July 20 | accessyear=2007]

On Goodison Park's 115th anniversary, August 24 2007 the result was announced. [cite web | title=Ballot Result | work = Official Site |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/ballot-result.html | accessdate=August 24 | accessyear=2007] .

As a result Everton will continue to negotiate plans with Tesco and Knowsley Borough Council. Despite the controversy, Everton have pressed ahead with the plans, with an application submitted to Knowsley Council by the club and Tesco on January 2 2008. [cite web | title=Everton submit new stadium plans | work = BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7168024.stm | accessdate=January 2 | accessyear=2008]

On the 9th June 2008, Knowsley Council approved of the plans with 20 councillors voting in favour and 1 against. Keith Wyness, the club's CEO said:

"The next big step comes in the form of trying to ensure the project is not 'called-in' for inquiry form the government." [cite web | title=Kirkby Plans passed plans | work = Evertonfc.com |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/kirkby-plans-passed.html | accessdate=June 9 | accessyear=2008]

On the 6th August 2008, the project was called in by the Government. In a statement by the club, Everton were said to be "disappointed by the decision." [cite web | title=Stadium Called In | work = Evertonfc.com |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/stadium-called-in.html | accessdate=August 6 | accessyear=2008]

References

External links

* [http://stadium.evertonfc.com Everton F.C. website]
* [http://www.keioc.net/ Keep Everton In Our City Campaign]