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• May
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• Further amendments made to Kirkby blueprint

Knowsley Council has received further amendments to plans from Tesco Stores Ltd to develop Kirkby Town Centre.

The latest amendments follow two periods of public consultation, which took place in January and April this year. After listening to the views of residents, businesses and other consultees, Tesco has submitted further changes to its plans.

Knowsley Council is now seeking the views of anyone with an interest in the town on these amendments.

Tesco had already applied for a new mixed use development including a new football stadium for Everton Football Club with capacity for just over 50,000 seats, retailing (including a Tesco superstore), food and drink uses, a hotel, offices, commercial and community uses, more than 3,500 car parking spaces, bus and coach parks and residential development together with new accesses, infrastructure and landscaping.

The latest amendment has reduced the retail space planned as part of the town’s development by almost a third from 72,000 m2 to 50,000 m2.

A fresh period of public consultation has now commenced and Knowsley Council would like to hear the views of anyone with an interest in the town centre.

Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, said: “This fresh period of consultation is the opportunity for anyone with an interest in Kirkby to give their views on these latest changes to the plans. I would urge people to come along to view the plans or look through the changes on the Knowsley Council website.”

The plans are available to view at Kirkby One Stop Shop, Huyton One Stop Shop and on the website www.knowsley.gov.uk/consultation. The consultation period ends on 5 June 2008.

Findings from this consultation, along with those already received as part of the January and April exercises, will be considered by Knowsley planning officers, who will present a final report on the application to the Council’s planning committee in due course.

NOTE TO EDITORS
These latest amendments to the planning application are in addition to the changes submitted in April, which included the removal of the petrol filling station from the development and, north of Cherryfield Drive, the introduction of further financial and professional services, restaurants and a bar and cafes.

Other changes announced in April included the resurfacing of Cherryfield Drive, further environmental improvements, such as landscaping, throughout the town centre and changes to the transportation plan with park and ride facilities being reduced and additional emphasis on park and walk.

A slight repositioning of the stadium and the removal of the basement car park from the scheme was also included in the first set of amendments. Tesco also proposed to demolish and clear the site of the old Kirkby swimming pool ready for redevelopment, if the plans were approved.

ENDS