Everton boosted by statement of support for docks stadium

Tuesday, 20 November, 2018 42comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton's proposed stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock has received the backing of a number of local business and community interests.

The club are currently undertaking a period of public consultation to canvass the opinion of people and commerce in Liverpool together with Evertonians about the development that it is hoped will kickstart the regeneration of the derelict north docks area.

Under the umbrella of its Liverpool Vision initiative, Peel Group have long held plans for a massive £5bn redevelopment of the stretch of docklands from the water treatment works to Prince's Dock and the Blues' new ground could be the first part of that process of transforming what used to be an economic engine of Merseyside.

Concern has been raised from some quarters over the possibility of Liverpool City Council becoming the vehicle for a securitised loan vehicle whereby Everton would part-fund construction and there is also the site's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to be considered.

However, an open letter released today indicates support from a cross section of Merseyside interests in the stadium itself, together with the club's community-focused plans for the area they would leave behind at Goodison Park, and the economic benefits it could bring to the city and the region as a whole.

“The city of Liverpool faces a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver new opportunities and jobs with the creation of a new riverfront stadium for Everton Football Club within Peel Land and Property's Liverpool Waters,” the letter, whose signatories include local chambers of commerce, tourism and hotel interests, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Liverpool Hope University, states.

“Our organisations, which together represent many of the city's businesses, are working hard on behalf of the city to foster economic growth and wellbeing and believe this is an opportunity which must be grasped.

“We understand that some may have concerns because the stadium's proposed location is within Liverpool's World Heritage Site (WHS) and this public consultation will help initiate those discussions.

“We firmly believe, however, that any concerns will be outweighed by the long-term and substantial benefits that will be delivered by the stadium and can be allayed through high quality, sympathetic design and a deep appreciation of the physical and cultural qualities of the site.

“Bramley-Moore Dock is an under-utilised and partially derelict site with no access to members of the public.

“Everton's plans would bring this site back to life, creating tens of thousands of jobs, including training and apprenticeships for the youth of the city and the city region, and would accelerate the regeneration of the North Liverpool Waterfront, becoming a hugely important asset for the city, along with the Ten Streets area.

The positive impact of the stadium would, in fact, reverberate across the entire city region.

We believe it is essential that Everton Football Club remain in Liverpool. And we think that Bramley-Moore Dock, part of Peel Land and Property's Liverpool Waters development, is the right location for the stadium.

Everyone in Liverpool, regardless of their footballing allegiance, should back the plans. They are right for the business community, right for our residents, for the city and for the City Region. Please support them.”  

Reader Comments (42)

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Joe O'Brien
1 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:20:44
Very positive..I think this will definitely help the planning process. Saw that Jamie Carragher was down at the public consultation in Liverpool one yesterday. That sort of publicity is very welcome also. Keep a few of those reds off our backs.
Steve Dickinson
2 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:26:11
This is indeed positive support from many of the city’s business and community leaders, highlighting the benefits of the Bramley-Moore development for the whole city.

I’m not sure of how many reds we can count on for support, so let’s hope that every single Evertonian adds their voice to the public consultation.

Bobby Mallon
3 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:30:53
Sounds good
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

4 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:35:42
I think the club is managing the dialogue very, very well.

I'm sure I'm not alone in receiving daily email updates from the People's Project site where ALL Evertonians really should complete the survey to back this.

Link

Each day they are rolling out a new face and voice to speak, primarily, of the benefits to the city, not exclusively to the club.

This has included Everton fans, Everton players, a Liverpool player (!!!) and business leaders, with more to come, I'm sure.

It may be as fast moving as an iceberg for some, but all this groundwork will stand us in good stead when we finally submit our planning proposal.

Steve Ferns
5 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:36:40
The bitter reds can’t derail this. And not all reds are bitter. Most I know are happy for us to get the new stadium but say it won’t be better than the revamped Anfield and that it’ll make it easier for them to redevelop.

To object you need valid reasons, and no one is putting anything forward. Best they can come up with is the threat to the world heritage status.

Brent Stephens
6 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:43:08
Is there a link to the letter? This all sounds reassuring. If it's not yet dead, it's still alive.

Colin Glassar
7 Posted 20/11/2018 at 15:48:39
Maybe it’s dead but just doesn’t know it, Brent?
Tony Everan
8 Posted 20/11/2018 at 16:04:36
This kind of massive investment into the city goes beyond football. It benefits the whole of the city. I understand it has to be done right and be in line with the history of the area, but that is a good thing. The club seem to be doing this the right way and trying to get everyone on board as both blues and reds will reap the rewards of a better economic future.

Keep up the good work and maybe try to find someone to pay for it while your at it.

Lawrence Green
9 Posted 20/11/2018 at 16:23:23
As Jay pointed out the Public Consultation is a very necessary part of the process and every Blue or non-Blue needs to give it maximum support, If they want to see the City of Liverpool truly compete with other Northern cities. For too long now the City has been left behind, and this is a major opportunity for it to catch up and perhaps overtake some of its rivals. It's also important for Everton FC on so many levels, it just has to happen this time.

The overall framework of planning law is set by central government and they provide useful guidance on the value of pre-application engagement. They describe consultation as providing ‘…significant potential to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system and improve the quality of planning applications and their likelihood of success.’

At the heart of that statement is the essence of good development and meaningful public and stakeholder consultation: when applicants listen, the planning process is shorter, the plans are improved and they are more likely to succeed.

Why Community Consultation Matters

Brent Stephens
11 Posted 20/11/2018 at 16:55:13
Colin #7, maybe the new stadium is both dead and alive. Don't open the box and look, though.
Brian Williams
12 Posted 20/11/2018 at 17:50:47
Never did I think there would be a reference to Schrodinger's cat on ToffeeWeb.
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 20/11/2018 at 17:57:49
Bramley-Moore Dock is a super position, Brian.
Dermot Byrne
14 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:01:00
This is a different ball game (sic) than previous attempts at new ground.

I also think support will increase and even by reds.

Peel are a crucial part of investment in the city and their support is vital.

It is impossible for me to just be non partisan here but surely those who are must look over at East Manchester and see the ripple effect there.

This is our equivalent and north Liverpool will change positively beyond belief.

Believe folks.

And on wider issue that Scudamore petition now near 50,000!

Happy to post link again if anyone interested. Word is some have paid money to make it higher in search results.

Brian Williams
15 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:02:33
Brent. Haha too deep my friend, too deep!
Dermot Byrne
16 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:05:25
Brian and Brent. My aim is always learn something new every day.

Thanks to Google and you two, I have achieved that today.

I bow!

Brent Stephens
17 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:22:55
Dermot (and Brian) I have to confess that I'm no physicist! I suspect Brian is. I just enjoy the paradoxes and contradictions that exist in many things (e.g. TW!).

Dermot, I found the following a nice read for a layman like me - an explanation of quantum theory using cartoons (my level!):
Link

John Salmon
18 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:24:14
Thanks for the link (Jay 4), As for the question for Bramley-Moore Dock to be used for concerts etc, I put in that it will not be disturbing any locals as it does at Anfield.
Derek McMonagle
19 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:27:34
Maybe the Reds would like to move into our old ground — it wouldn't be the first time?
Len Hawkins
20 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:29:55
This Schrodinger... is he a pigeon fancier who drowned cats in Bramley-Moore Dock??
Dermot Byrne
21 Posted 20/11/2018 at 18:34:32
Shit Brent! Day gets better!
Paul Hughes
22 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:01:37
Brent, I never thought I'd see quantum mechanics jokes on ToffeeWeb!
Brian Williams
23 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:02:05
Brent. I wish! I once had a fizzy cyst, does that count?
Dermot Byrne
24 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:04:01
Brian, I am now an expert and suggest that does count.
Derek Taylor
25 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:04:05
Total bullshit all of it. Not too long ago, the big problem was finding the dough. Now the Club can hide behind the welter of bureaucracy and political detritus that it is our fate to suffer in modern Britain.

And will our local council get a chance to make a few bob and thus ease, in some small way, our community charge? Will they fuck ! It's thank you, Mr Mayor, but we have our 'stakeholders' to consider and most of their funds benefit cronies and shadowy autocrats who inhabit a world far away.

Perhaps I'm on my own but Everton has sold its soul and it no longer bothers me where they ply their trade if only to provide the supporting cast for other 'foreign owned' clubs – one of which is not far away!

Brian Williams
26 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:11:17
Cheers Dermot!!!
Brian Williams
27 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:13:43
Derek #25.

I'm not known for being a physicist but for my uncanny ability to sense the feelings of others.

I sense you're not happy about something. :-)

Dermot Byrne
28 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:22:15
Derek... do one thing for your pissedoffness:

Sign the petition

Don Alexander
29 Posted 20/11/2018 at 19:49:50
Derek (#25), there's mention by Brent (#17) of quantum theory which when you read his link describes summat called "the EPR paradox". I think it stands for "Everton Procrastinate Repeatedly" whilst Kenwright's still there but maybe, just maybe, this time it's different.
Martin Berry
30 Posted 20/11/2018 at 20:43:14
I have always thought this was a cert – there is no way any opportunity to develop the north dock area will be turned down.

The fact that Everton are proposing to have a new ground in the area must be a godsend to those wishing the development to happen.

I predict this area will be unrecognizable in 5-10 years time and an amazing part of the expanding city.

Colin Malone
31 Posted 20/11/2018 at 21:16:12
Why are Everton going through this People's Project support exercise?

Did the people of Merseyside have a say on the building of Liverpool One? Did they have say on the Hundreds of student building across the city? the retail park on Scotland Road?

Confused Blue.

Anthony Flack
32 Posted 20/11/2018 at 21:53:47
The reds are planning protests apparently learning from the French, and planning to block the main railway station.

Caution all if commuting in or out of Oslo...

Paul Birmingham
33 Posted 20/11/2018 at 22:25:08
The club's going about the public consultation in the right way, and thE scale and significance of such a grand plan for the north docks, to realise the massive potential, to future proof and grow the north docks.

The regeneration plans are key to enhancing Liverpool's economic prowess for the future, and competing on at least an equal par with other provincial cities.

The potential is huge but, as we all know, there's a long way to go.

Let's see what pans out in the next few weeks, but hopefully all good and positive feedback will be received from all.

Colin Glassar
34 Posted 20/11/2018 at 23:47:18
Brent 11, like Vampirism, aka the undead?
Bob Parrington
35 Posted 21/11/2018 at 01:03:07
Derek #25,

Wassup, mate? Forget to take the happy pills today?

Long time since lived there but have visited quite a lot over the 32 years since living in Australia. Some good work has been done with the city development but it still seems to lag behind others to some extent.

IMO, the whole project, including Bramley-Moore Dock, will make a massive difference to the city... in fact, I'd say to Merseyside in general. This will be a "goer"! — and Everton will have its new stadium!

Jamie Crowley
36 Posted 21/11/2018 at 04:17:17
How in the holy hell this ever got brought up, I've no clue.

It's absolute b.s. Somebody ate too many mushrooms.

TY Dermot for mentioning you went all Batman style, "TO THE INTERNET!"

I did the same.

Link

Brian Williams
37 Posted 21/11/2018 at 10:18:26
Jamie, join Derek's angry club! ;-)
Dave Evans
38 Posted 21/11/2018 at 14:57:16
The consultation is collapsing the stadium's wave function. It is already
entangled with our brains.
Steve Ferns
39 Posted 21/11/2018 at 15:15:54
Colin, the law has changed since Liverpool One was built. If you're interested in reading up on this, then check out the Government website on the matter of Public Consultation.

I'm no expert myself, but I am reassured by the amount of work the club is visibly doing on this, and also that they are doing everything needed to make sure this does not fail. Which, after previous aborted stadium developments (even though I only supported the Kings Dock), we need to see.

Let's not forget that the Destination Kirkby fiasco was not Blue Union winning and Everton FC accepting they were doing the wrong thing; it was the Government "calling in" the project and then the club called it off. Sure, I think the club saw this as an "out" that would save face, and didn't want to build the stadium there after all.

But we need to learn a lesson and make sure that we have done everything properly with regards to this stadium, so if that means public consultation, then great, let's do it properly. And don't forget this is only a distraction whilst other work (financing, design, planning applications and so on) goes on in the background.

Bob Parrington
41 Posted 21/11/2018 at 23:09:11
Steve – I reckon the addition of the "Moshiri effect" also provides some reassurance.
Dermot Byrne
42 Posted 23/11/2018 at 19:00:48
One last push now and one on Live Forum tomorrow and I will stop bothering you! So close to 50,000 for this.

Link

Dermot Byrne
43 Posted 24/11/2018 at 13:39:41
Dave Waugh
44 Posted 29/11/2018 at 13:48:34
Seems a far more professional approach this time round. I'd really like to see a ferry landing stage as part of a scheme to improve transport links to Wirral and North Wales. I'm sure that would be something unique.

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