Tesco and Everton plans for Kirkby refused
permission
26 November 2009
Plans for new Everton stadium, Tesco store and
associated development creating 3,000 jobs are turned down by
government.
Communities and Local Government Secretary,
John Denham, has today rejected the Tesco and Everton plans for
Kirkby.
His decision follows an in-depth Public
Inquiry which was heard in Kirkby between November 2008 and
February 2009.
The multi-million pound investment would have
been the biggest single boost to the Kirkby economy in a generation
and would have transformed the town. The plans were to include:
- Around 3,000 new jobs
- A ‘state of the art’ 50,000 seater stadium for Everton Football
Club
- New shopping including Tesco Extra and about 40 individual
shops
- Improvements to the town centre
- New leisure facilities, offices and housing
Cllr Ron Round, Leader of Knowsley Council,
said:
“We are sorely disappointed with the decision
made by the Secretary of State which means that this important
regeneration scheme will not go ahead.
“This development would have resulted in many
thousands of jobs being created, alongside a range of new
facilities and investment coming into the borough.
“We are currently digesting the detail of the
decision note and will in the coming weeks be looking at a way
forward for the town. I am sure that many people will share my
disappointment but I would like to reassure the residents of Kirkby
that they will not be forgotten. We have very much appreciated
their cooperation and patience throughout this process and we will
continue to work tirelessly in our quest to seek out other
investment opportunities for the town.”
Everton’s CEO, Robert Elstone, said:
“Obviously, we are all bitterly
disappointed with the decision as we felt that – along with our two
partners – we had compiled and presented a most compelling case for
the Destination Kirkby project.
“We said all along that we not only believed
the project to be deliverable but that it would have proved to be
hugely beneficial for both Everton Football Club and the people of
Knowsley.”
“We will now regroup and carefully consider
the options which are open to us. I feel I must stress that we do
remain totally committed to finding a new home for our football
club. The hunt for that new home will now intensify.“
A Tesco spokesman said:
“We are disappointed with the decision. These
were exciting plans that we believed would have improved
Kirkby and the surrounding region by regenerating the area and
creating 3,000 new jobs.
We will now review this decision to understand
the reasons for refusal and will work with our partners,
Everton and Knowsley Council, to discuss a way forward.”
To
view the decision note in PDF format, please click here.
To view the Inspector's Report,
please click here to visit the Kirkby Inquiry page.