Everton’s plans for a new stadium in Liverpool’s northern docklands have moved a step nearer reality, after a Liverpool City Council planning report recommended that the scheme be given the go-ahead.
The reported concluded that the plans for the new venue at Bramley Moore Dock had “widespread” public support, and that the “substantial public benefits far outweigh any heritage harm”, the latter being argued by bodies including UNESCO, which has threatened to revoke the World Heritage status of the docklands because of the various planned developments there.
It means it is likely that planners will give the green light for the construction of the new stadium later this month, which will replace the historic but ageing Goodison Park.
The move could have an impact on the value of commercial property in different parts of the city. Those wanting to sell to benefit from rising values in the northern docks area may gain from the role the new stadium will bring in attracting trade and investment to revive the area, a significant element of the planned impact of the stadium.
Against that, the area around Goodison Park will suffer from a lack of matchday trade and attention, making now a good time to sell up any commercial property there.
Everton have played at Goodison since 1892, having originally been the tenants at Anfield before falling out with their landlord, then Liverpool mayor John Houlding. Mr Houlding formed Liverpool FC to play at Anfield after Everton moved.
Goodison Park swiftly became the most advanced and developed football ground in England, but in recent years it has become outdated, with its old structures, modest capacity and lack of money-spinning executive facilities holding back a club keen to recapture old glories.
Past proposals for a new stadium have included projects at King’s Dock and an out-of-town site at Kirkby.
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