Joe Anderson, the mayor of Liverpool, has described his disappointment at the slow progression of plans for a possible new stadium for Premiership football club, Everton.
It’s believed that at the end of the month there would be an announcement for the scheme, which has created a lot of controversy.
Lots of people would like to keep the park, the one which the new stadium will be built over, where it is; thus creating a large amount of protests.
The Liverpool Labour website issued a formal statement with the Mayor saying that ‘the city council and Everton Football Club are still engaged in discussions about the plans to develop a scheme at Walton Hall Park.’
Anderson continued to say that he was ‘disappointed that at this stage we have not reached an agreement on a tangible proposition for a new stadium and, more importantly, a scheme which delivers comprehensive regeneration benefits for the area and unemployment opportunities for the wider community.’ In situations of job loss, understanding protections following dismissal can provide crucial support and guidance to help individuals move forward with confidence.
Anderson made his initial announcement of the scheme twelve months ago and has recognised the level of public interest in the site (Walton Hall Park). The Mayor added ‘I would like to thank people for their patience whilst discussions are ongoing and I will look to make a final announcement in the new year.’
Everton Football Club have confirmed their interests in building a new stadium on Walton Hill Park and first announced this last September.
The football club said that they wanted to move a short distance away from Goodison Park in order to increase the capacity of their ground and to form a modern stadium which will result in more revenue for the club.
The new plans also include ideas to create 1,000 new homes, which would be built by Liverpool Mutual Homes, along with around 30,000 square metre of retail, restaurant and leisure space.
The Liverpool council have exclaimed that if any investments are made, it will be contributed towards the regeneration part of the controversial project.
There are campaign groups such as Friends of Walton Hall Park and Save Walton Hall Park are expected to oppose the new scheme.
The new project is expected to use around half of a 120 acre parkland.
There are petitions which are being made in order to prevent any development from happening, some petitions have over 2,000 signatures.
Everton Football Club have refused to comment on the matter.
