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• Green light to transformation of Kirkby

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Knowsley Council’s planning committee has recommended the approval of plans for the borough’s biggest ever redevelopment, securing Kirkby’s future as a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

The £400m scheme, brought by Tesco, will see a new 50,000-seater stadium built for Everton Football Club in the town together with new shops, restaurants, a hotel and offices.

It will create more than 2,300 jobs, including 350 which Tesco has earmarked for long-term unemployed Knowsley residents.

The development will also attract an extra 1.2m visitors to Knowsley every year, spending an additional £13.6m in the local economy.

Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Ron Round, said: “This scheme is an amazing opportunity to change the face of Kirkby forever.

“It will create thousands of jobs and other much-needed regeneration benefits, which will still be apparent to its residents and businesses for generations to come.

”We have fought long and hard for years to try and attract an investor to Kirkby. Today we have taken a huge step towards turning that vision into a reality.

“But this is about more than buildings and shops it is about transforming an area forever, creating a place where people are proud to live, work and visit.”

Tesco originally submitted its planning application in January this year and Knowsley entered into a period of public consultation. Following feedback from residents, the plans were amended in April and again in May.

The scheme will also see environmental improvements, such as landscaping, throughout the town centre and Tesco has also agreed to demolish and clear the site of the old Kirkby swimming pool ready for redevelopment.

Cllr Round added: “Kirkby is a prime location for this sort of redevelopment, with more than 4m people living within 45 minutes of the town and its excellent transport links.

“This development will not only benefit Knowsley but the wider Merseyside area too. Although we believe the majority of jobs will go to Kirkby residents, around 43% will go to people from neighbouring boroughs.

“We also believe local supply chains will be boosted, with up to £900,000 of orders per year with local businesses.

“It will also promote Kirkby and Knowsley on a national and international stage, bolstering tourism for the wider region and providing a lasting legacy to the European Capital of Culture.”

Due to the nature of the scheme, it will now be referred to the Secretary of State via Government Office North West. This is in agreement with planning regulations.
The Secretary of State has at least 21 days, or a longer period if needed to make a decision. This will either be to refer the application back to Knowsley for a final decision or to call it in for public inquiry.

Cllr Round said the scheme does not fit neatly into currently planning policy: “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach and this scheme breaks into new territory in terms of planning policy and the overwhelming regeneration and economic benefits it offers.

“It is a bespoke development - tailored precisely to meet the needs of Knowsley, the wider region, Tesco and Everton Football Club - and as such it needs a bespoke approach.

“It’s now vital it is approved by the Government, to cement the reputation of Merseyside as a region which can deliver on major projects and attract further private investment in the future.

“We have come a long way to get to this stage in the process but there is still a long way to go.

Ends

Notes to editor:

• Due to the nature of the development Planning Committee can either oppose or recommend the approval of the Tesco application for referral to the Secretary of State via Government Office North West. This is in agreement with planning regulations.
  
• The Secretary of State has at least 21 days, or a longer period if needed to make a decision. This will either be to refer the application back to Knowsley for a final decision or to call it in for public inquiry.
  
• If a public inquiry is called, it is a similar procedure as for a public inquiry following a refusal of planning permission, except that it will be for Tesco to justify their proposal and the Council will provide supporting evidence. All objectors will also be able to attend to put their case forward.
  
• Work can only start on site following the issuing of the decision by the Council or the Secretary of State along with any conditions and/or obligations to the application.
  
  

Due to the nature of the development Planning Committee can either oppose or recommend the approval of the Tesco application for referral to the Secretary of State via Government Office North West. This is in agreement with planning regulations.