Everton stadium "vital for Kirkby's survival"

Knowsley is the fourth most deprived borough in the country outside London, lawyers told the planning inspector yesterday.

And even within Knowsley, Kirkby's plight stands out, Patrick Clarkson, for Tesco and Everton, told the inquiry.

He said it is within the 1% of the most deprived areas nationally and life expectancy is way below the national average.

Martin Kingston QC, speaking on behalf of Knowsley Council, added: "Despite the council's successes, the position in Kirkby is one of deprivation and poverty that starts even before the child is born and affects them ever afterwards.

"Kirkby, in terms of chronic deprivation, stands out in the region."

He went on to paint a grim picture of life in the town.

He said: "The human factor, that is the lives of Kirkby residents, are affected by long- running deprivation that quite literally goes from the cradle to the grave.

"To break that cycle and make a real sustainable difference is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Seizing this opportunity, he said, was the key factor in Knowsley Council's decision to grant planning permission last June.

While much of the criticism of Destination Kirkby has been levelled at the size of the project, Mr Kingston said: "The town centre is not likely to be regenerated by anything less than a large lift in retail."

What is being proposed is indeed huge. More than 45 hectares of land on the edge of the town centre will be developed.

It is the sheer scale, and unique quality, of the investment that developers and Knowsley are predicting will revolutionise a badly run-down area.

Mr Clarkson said: "The stadium is a component of the critical mass required for regeneration which will complement the retail element. It will be an extra, unusual and memorable characteristic of the town. It will put it on the map."

However, neighbouring councils yesterday voiced their opposition to the retail element and opposition residents' groups argued the stadium is entirely unnecessary.

Roger Lancaster, speaking on behalf of a coalition of local authorities, hit out at the size of the redevelopment claiming it will have a massive impact on surrounding towns.

He claimed Bootle would lose about 29% of its shoppers, Skelmersdale 24% and St Helens would only pull in an extra 1.6%, even if its own regeneration scheme goes ahead. This would be "catastrophic", he said.

"There is no commercial reason why the centre cannot be regenerated without the football stadium.

"The stadium will have an adverse effect on shopping and parking and could put people off.

"Everton is not a public body and simply because they want a bigger stadium does not mean that we should allow it."

If it is given the green light, he said, the development was likely to halt regeneration in several neighbouring Merseyside towns.