Will317
07-30-2004, 06:37 PM
Liverpool have now confirmed they will build a new 60,000 seater stadium. The news story is below. The first thought that came into my mind here was 'what's wrong with Anfield?'... Also, 'how are they funding it?'...
BBC Sport - 30.07.04
Liverpool have been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park to replace their current Anfield ground. The new £80m stadium will be built just 300 yards from the current ground.
Liverpool council announced the approval on Friday after an 0800 BST inspection of the new site. However, the plans will be referred to deputy prime minister John Prescott for his approval due to the size of the plan and the opposition to it. It is almost certain Prescott will call for a public enquiry but if he does not and chooses to pass the decision back to Liverpool Council, the final approval will then have to be given by planning committee boss Councillor Lady Doreen Jones.
Liverpool have been working on the plan for five years and have encountered strong opposition to their attempts to build on the historic park. There have also been calls for the stadium to be shared by Liverpool with neighbours Everton, but the Anfield club are against such a move. The approval will come as a great relief to Liverpool, who currently have a 45,000 capacity at Anfield. The club say they must expand and improve their stadium to be able to continue to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who are building a new home of their own to replace Highbury.
A number of buildings in the Anfield Road area will be demolished and the old stadium site will be turned into a plaza, shops, restaurants, flats, offices and a hotel.
Opposition to the plan continues to come from a variety of sources, including the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Anfield Regeneration action committee and many local residents. They are concerned that the new stadium means 15,000 extra fans will be in the area on match days.
Councillor Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, welcomed the decision. "The regeneration of this part of Liverpool is long overdue," he said. "I hope this decision is the first step towards creating the kind of facilities and infrastructure that are suitable for a world-class city."
BBC Sport - 30.07.04
Liverpool have been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park to replace their current Anfield ground. The new £80m stadium will be built just 300 yards from the current ground.
Liverpool council announced the approval on Friday after an 0800 BST inspection of the new site. However, the plans will be referred to deputy prime minister John Prescott for his approval due to the size of the plan and the opposition to it. It is almost certain Prescott will call for a public enquiry but if he does not and chooses to pass the decision back to Liverpool Council, the final approval will then have to be given by planning committee boss Councillor Lady Doreen Jones.
Liverpool have been working on the plan for five years and have encountered strong opposition to their attempts to build on the historic park. There have also been calls for the stadium to be shared by Liverpool with neighbours Everton, but the Anfield club are against such a move. The approval will come as a great relief to Liverpool, who currently have a 45,000 capacity at Anfield. The club say they must expand and improve their stadium to be able to continue to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who are building a new home of their own to replace Highbury.
A number of buildings in the Anfield Road area will be demolished and the old stadium site will be turned into a plaza, shops, restaurants, flats, offices and a hotel.
Opposition to the plan continues to come from a variety of sources, including the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Anfield Regeneration action committee and many local residents. They are concerned that the new stadium means 15,000 extra fans will be in the area on match days.
Councillor Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, welcomed the decision. "The regeneration of this part of Liverpool is long overdue," he said. "I hope this decision is the first step towards creating the kind of facilities and infrastructure that are suitable for a world-class city."