Go-ahead for new Anfield - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 27 Sept 2004
Anfield go-ahead
By Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL'S new £80m football stadium was given the green light today.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will not call the massive scheme in for
scrutiny - meaning work can begin.

Council chiefs approved Liverpool Football Club's plans at the end of July,
and if Mr Prescott's department had decided to examine the scheme it would
have led to costly delays.

The Deputy Prime Minister's announcement today was the news councillors,
Liverpool Football Club and fans had been praying for.

Liverpool council leader Mike Storey said: "This is brilliant news for the
city of Liverpool and is about more than a football stadium."

He said it will mean new jobs, homes and investment.

Local councillor Jeremy Chowings added: "This is the news that the people
of Anfield have been waiting for."

A massive public consultation exercise two years ago found that more than
80% of residents were in favour of Liverpool's plans to move their ground
from their current Anfield Road site to the car park end of nearby Stanley
Park.

The site of the club's existing stadium will be redeveloped to improve the
Anfield community.

Alan Blundell, of Walton Breck Road Residents' Association, presented a
1,700-name petition in favour of the development this year.

He said people had to realise that if Liverpool, the area's biggest
employer, was forced to look elsewhere for a new ground, the effect could
be devastating.

"It's not just the stadium, it's what it brings to the area as well. If
Liverpool moved out of the area it would be a disaster for Anfield," he said..

Opponents, led by former Lib Dem Anfield councillor Joe Kenny, argued that
Liverpool's plans would devastate the historic park. He was unavailable for
comment today.