The new Anfield

[Howie]

The new Anfield
Aug 4 2004
By Patra Mann, Liverpool Echo



THIS could be the new Anfield.

This design shows what the new stadium will look like if the scheme goes ahead.

City planners approved the scheme last Friday by a vote of six to two after an eight-hour meeting.

The final decision is with deputy prime minister John Prescott's office. He has one month in which he can call in the plan for a public inquiry.

Liverpool FC hope to start building work in Stanley Park at the start of next year.

The new stadium will have 60,000 seats, a museum and visitor centre and there will be a series of improvements to Stanley Park as part of a wider regeneration of the Anfield area.

Liverpool FC are putting £90m into the scheme, with the new ground located 300 yards from the current site on the eastern end of Stanley Park, next to Arkles Lane.

The old site will become Anfield Plaza with a mixed-use public area surrounded by a residential development, offices, cafes, bars, restaurants and a hotel.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: "The last thing that anyone would have wanted is to have more uncertainty. We want to get on with it."

Protesters are planning to mount a legal challenge to the new stadium amid fears the extra 15,000 seats will trigger traffic chaos.

[LV]

Howie said:

The new Anfield

Protesters are planning to mount a legal challenge to the new stadium amid fears the extra 15,000 seats will trigger traffic chaos.

They should have a park and ride system to keep the cars away. Or open up the old railway station that is not far away.

[Howie]

It's lose, lose for Prescott in row over Liverpool FC

Deputy Prime Minister put on spot by 'yes' and 'no' camps as he prepares to make decision on development of £80m stadium

By Jason Nisse

05 September 2004

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, will this week wade into the row over the new £80m stadium for Liverpool Football Club.

The planned development, based in Stanley Park, a few hundred yards away from Liverpool's existing home at Anfield, is supported by Liverpool City Council, the local MP Peter Kilfoyle and many residents in the area.

However, it is facing strong opposition from the North West Development Agency, a body which is part of Mr Prescott's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

If, as is widely expected, Mr Prescott backs Liverpool City Council's decision to give Stanley Park planning permission, he will face accusations of a lack of joined-up government. But if he calls the project in for planning review, he will be accused of holding up the regeneration of one of the poorest areas in Britain.

The NWDA's objections are based on its belief that Liverpool FC and arch-rival Everton should come together in a single, ground-sharing scheme. Everton's board has also said it would be interested in a ground- share project.

The NWDA has up to £45m of money available to back such a development.

However, Rick Parry, chief executive of Liverpool Football Club, said that it was committed to developing Stanley Park for its use only. "We philosophically feel it should be a single-use stadium," he said. "Our supporters are among the strongest in opposition to ground sharing."

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "The agency has always supported the principle of a shared stadium as it would have the potential to make an important contribution to the regeneration of north Liverpool.

"The NWDA has not committed funds towards the cost of a stadium. We are currently considering our view on this possible investment in the context of a decision by the two clubs on ground sharing."

Mr Parry said the NWDA told the club of its views six months ago, some four years after Liverpool first started talking about a new ground development. "We did, in good faith, explore with the agency a number of options to see if a model could be found, but none was acceptable," he said.

The Stanley Park stadium will cost about £80m, which Mr Parry said Liverpool would fund through bank loans. Another £40m is needed for redevelopment projects in Stanley Park and at the old Anfield stadium.

Around £15m of this will be coming from the European Union, and the NWDA has been asked to come up with the rest. If it continues to object to Liverpool's project, this could develop into a serious row.

Peter Kilfoyle, the MP for Liverpool Walton, which covers Stanley Park, said he was angry about the NWDA's objections in the absence of firm proposals for a ground-sharing scheme. He would oppose any plans by Mr Prescott to call in the Stanley Park development: "It would be astonishing if the best hope for regeneration were delayed or scuppered by a decision by the minister who has the responsibility for regeneration."

Everton's ground at Goodison Park is barely a mile away from the new Liverpool project, at the other end of Stanley Park. The club had planned to move to a new development at King's Dock but the project fell through.

Everton is not believed to have the money for a new stadium. Its financial difficulties led it to sell its top player, Wayne Rooney, for £27m last week. However, only £10m of that is immediately payable. A deal for a Russian investor to back a £20m cash injection fell through last month.

Source: The Independent

[FKoE]

If LFC and EFC could build a ground together, that would be the crowning glory of 2008, Evertons woes is a sad time for Liverpool itself never mind if your a Red or a Blue, its also a sad time when LFC decide to build on what is a listed and public park ... (

I think we should campaign for a Liverpool Stadium, a ground that reflects this cities football heritage ..

Red and Blue unite  

[Kev]

the true blues would never allow that 

[FKoE]

Kev said:

the true blues would never allow that 

I think there will be a hardcore on both sides who would oppose a groundshare, but if they were persuaded it would be the best move for the clubs and the city ...  ... maybe I have my head in the clouds..
But would'nt it be great ?

[Kev]

Yes it would be a great move  howver, I think the mess that everton are in at the mo, it wouldnt be advisable

[FKoE]

Kev said:

Yes it would be a great move  howver, I think the mess that everton are in at the mo, it wouldnt be advisable

I think a groundshare could really help solve some of Evertons money troubles, I guess at the end of the day its down to the chairmen and the accountants to decide if it would work..

But as a fan , I'm all for a stadium for both clubs  

The Mersey Stadium

[FKoE]

Everton may be forced to leave
Sep 10 2004

By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo



EVERTON could be forced to leave the city of Liverpool to find a new home.  

Blues' chairman Bill Kenwright revealed last night that a ground-share with neighbours Liverpool was the Blues' preferred option for stadium redevelopment - with a move from their 112 year old Goodison Park home now increasingly likely.

But it is understood Everton would need to over-come massive obstacles to get ground-sharing back on the agenda.

Failing that the Blues say they have four other sites earmarked, two in the city, two out.

Liverpool have steadfastly insisted they are still committed to their own plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park. The Deputy Prime Minister's office is soon due to rule on whether to 'call in' Liverpool's plans for government scrutiny.

While sources close to Liverpool City Council said today there are no suitable sites within the city boundaries for Everton to occupy.

Blues' chairman Bill Ken-wright revealed at last night's extraordinary general meeting of the club that: "Plan A would be a shared stadium.

"Plan B would be one of four sites we are currently negotiating for, two of which are pretty concrete. One is inside the city, one outside."

But director Paul Gregg added: "I think it's about time both clubs got together and backed a joint Merseyside project.

"Not Everton, not Liverpool, but a project where both clubs can be totally independent of each other.

"I agree we need a new stadium, but that will cost £100-150m at least, if we want something reasonable - and that would have to be community supported.

"Everton Football Club can't afford it and I doubt Liverpool Football Club can afford it."

Liverpool officials have met with their Blues' counterparts in the past to discuss the possibility of ground-sharing, but the Reds have always dismissed the notion.

The Blues also confirmed that between £600,000 and £700,000 would be spent on upgrading the Youth Academy facilities at Netherton, because of the delay in the move to a new training complex at Halewood.

<<SOURCE>>

[Howie]

Anfield go-ahead
Sep 27 2004
By Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL'S new £80m football stadium was given the green light today.

Full story here.

[Kev]

Lets hope this marks the begining for regeneration of The anfield area 

[Kev]

LIVERPOOL FC last night admitted the cost of building its new 60,000 seat stadium had risen - and revealed it would pull out if the development threatened to over-extend the club.

Chief executive Rick Parry said it was not just a question of whether the club could find the money, but whether it could pay it back.

A figure of £80m has always been given for the new Stanley Park stadium but construction costs are currently rising by 10% a year in Liverpool so a true figure of well over £100m now looks more realistic.