Government calls in Everton Kirkby stadium plan

Last night, Everton said the decision did not spell the end of the Destination Kirkby project, but would "self-evidently, precipitate a period of reflection, assessment and re-evaluation".

But Knowsley Council warned the project was now in jeopardy and hit out at neighbouring councils for objecting to the scheme, which proposes a huge transformation of Kirkby town centre based on the new stadium and a Tesco superstore.

Former chief executive of Everton Keith Wyness, regarded as the key architect of the scheme and who once described it as "the deal of the century", last night criticised Liverpool council's involvement.

But Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley last night continued to press for Everton and Tesco to "come to the table" and discuss three possible sites within the city's own boundaries.

Club chairman Bill Kenwright was deep in talks with club life president Sir Philip Carter and other senior club officials last night.

Knowsley North and Sefton East MP, George Howarth, who has backed the scheme, said he regretted the decision but urged the Goodison club and Tesco to defend their proposal at the public inquiry.

The decision was warmly welcomed by lobby groups Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC) and 1st for Kirkby, who said it was essential Everton now started looking at alternative options.

Everton has spent two years working on the plan for a 50,000-seat stadium in Kirkby, and said last night it was disappointed.

The scheme attracted crucial opposition from neighbouring Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and West Lancashire councils because of the sheer size of the accompanying retail development which includes around 50 shops.

The proposal would also see the construction of restaurants, a hotel and offices, creating more than 2,300 jobs.

In June, Knowsley Council's planning committee voted by a majority of 20-1 to approve the scheme, saying that the conflicts with local, regional, and national planning policies were outweighed by the regeneration benefits it would bring.

Last night, an Everton statement said: "We shall now engage in detailed discussions with our development partners, Knowsley Council and Tesco, to assess what options are open to us.

"It is important to stress that this decision does not spell the end of the Destination Kirkby project - but it will, self-evidently, precipitate a period of reflection, assessment and re-evaluation."

Before giving the project planning permission, Knowsley Council conducted its biggest public consultation exercise, believing the proposals had the power to transform Kirkby town centre.

However, because of the 500,000sq ft of retail space which would reposition Kirkby from 11th in the shopping hierarchy of the region to possibly 4th, a public inquiry was always a possibility.

The Daily Post revealed in April that a senior government source thought the project would be "called in" for a public inquiry for those very reasons.

Last night, Knowsley Council leader Ron Round said: "We are extremely disappointed as a public inquiry will delay the development - indeed, this delay, in the current economic climate, places the entire project in jeopardy.

"From all of the consultation we have carried out, we believe that the majority of local residents are in favour of transforming Kirkby.

"The local elections in May this year gave the council a clear mandate to continue with the scheme.

"We have searched long and hard for years to attract the right investor to Kirkby, and this scheme cannot be equalled. Š

"At this point in time, there is no Plan B for Kirkby and no Plan B for Everton Football Club.

"We will do all we can to keep the scheme alive and make sure the future of Kirkby is not put at risk."

He hit out at neighbouring authorities for objecting to the scheme.

"It is particularly regrettable that some community leaders in Merseyside seemed unable to do the right thing for the Merseyside sub-region, which was to put aside their personal views in relation to Everton Football Club.

"This will only serve to damage the reputation of the region and undermine investment in Merseyside in the future."

Last night, the other Mersey-side councils denied having done anything wrong and said they had simply applied planning procedures.

Liverpool Council deputy leader Flo Clucas said: "There is nothing for us to apologise for.

"We followed proper planning procedures and put in our objections as we are entitled to do."

Deputy leader of Sefton Council, Labour's Peter Dowd, said: "Sefton understands Knowsley Council's disappoint-ment. However, in such circumstances, it's normal for a development of this nature to be called in by the Government. However, we will participate fully in the inquiry in a positive and constructive fashion."

Recently departed Everton chief executive Mr Wyness told the Daily Post he was disappointed with the way Liverpool had behaved.

He said: "I am disappointed, I believe it was the right way forward."

Chief executive of the North West Development Agency, Steve Broomhead, said the announce-ment of a public inquiry was a major blow for regeneration in Knowsley - and Kirkby, in particular.

Last night, a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said less than 0.01% of all planning cases are called in.

He added: "A case is considered to have more than local significance if it triggers one or more of the call-in criteria such as conflict with national policy, or if it causes national or regional controversy."