'Footie? It's not my game' says woman who will decide on Everton's Kirkby move
Story by Vicki Kellaway
THE woman who will decide if Everton FC can make its move to Kirkby has admitted she has no interest in football.
Government inspector Wendy Burden has warned witnesses to be patient if she appears ignorant of the sport when the two-month inquiry unfolds in November.
The inspector's remarks came as detailed plans about the inquiry were released - including a list of all 22 parties who claim an interest in Destination Kirkby.
Kirkby Residents' Action Group (Krag) spokesman Ian Morris said: "I'm really happy about what the inspector said. I don't have any interest in football either.
"The inquiry is not about the game of football. It's about a football stadium being built in a built-up area and the people of Kirkby being pressured by a council which says if we don't have a stadium, we won't have any development."
Everton and Knowsley council are gearing up to fight alongside Tesco to save the £400m plans for a 50,000-seater stadium, superstore, shops, hotel and offices in Kirkby town centre. They will present 16 witnesses to the inquiry which starts in the Kirkby suite in Cherryfield Drive at 10am on November 18. It is expected to run until January 16.
Opposition comes from the councils of Liverpool, Sefton, West Lancashire, St Helens and Lancashire which could present up to 12 witnesses.
They will be followed by Peter Fisher from Knowsley Liberal Democrats, Tim Stratford from Krag and a representative from Grosvenor Ltd.
Ms Burden could also hear from the Kirkby Traders' Association, Women for Kirkby's Future, Brookhaven Residents' Association Group and the Kirkby Small Firms Forum plus several residents who want their voices heard.
vickikellaway@liverpoolecho.co.uk
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I have lived in Kirkby all my life and my Dad moved here in 1956. I want the stadium and shops; I live in Southdene by the new ground, and do not have a problem. All these people moaning about it need to get a life.
There are no deceit shops in Kirkby, the most famous branded shop we have is Superdrug WOW! Years ago we had ASDA, Littlewoods, Woolworths, Boots and many more.
There are no restaurants, no where to take your kids or wife for something to eat.
This Stadium and shops will bring this to Kirkby, instead of it living in the past, like these people do. These people are a minority of people in Kirkby that are against it. More people are for it than against. Where were these people when they build all the houses on St Kevin’s playing fields, and where were they when they built the Liverpool Academy on the football fields in Northwood? The moaners are either RS fans or just people who have nothing else to do.
As far as the other complaints: traffic? Everton is already in a built up area with no car parking faculties. There will be in Kirkby. Like the lies about it will take you 30 mins to walk to the new ground from the car park. The car park would have to be at the back of Tower Hill for it to take 30 mins to walk to the new ground. Rubbish and lies all along the way by all the people who don’t want the ground in Kirkby. COYB! Come on Wendy! Lets have some shops and a new ground for the Blues! If I see any of these moaners in the new shops I will personally throw them out. Lovely Townie with boarded up old Hotel and dole for ever! LOL