Everton FC’s £500 million proposal for a new stadium at the Bramley-Moore Dock site can proceed after the The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘decided not to intervene’ in the Premier League club’s plans.
Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for the local government department, had been reviewing plans since last month after the Liverpool City Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved plans on 23 February.
However, the Toffees can now push on with designs for a new home after Jenrick’s decision not to ‘call-in’ the application.
An Everton statement read: “The decision to approve a new 52,888-capacity waterfront arena allows the club to complete its agreed acquisition of the site from Peel L&P and the funding solution for the project, ensuring the club can begin to make the plans a reality.
“It is estimated that the stadium development and plans for a Goodison Legacy will deliver a £1.3 billion boost to the economy, create more than 15,000 jobs and attract 1.4million new visitors to the city.
“On such a momentous day, the football club would like to thank every Evertonian, along with the many organisations, the tens of thousands of people across the city region and the team of dedicated staff who have played a vital role in ensuring the club reached today’s milestone.”
The top flight club chose the location for the new stadium at the beginning of 2017 and put a 150-week build plan in place, which could allow the welcoming of Toffees supporters through the turnstiles by the 2024/25 season.
Everton has been on the hunt for a site for a new stadium for 25 years, having called Walton-based Goodison Park its home since 1892 after then-Chairman Peter Johnson announced plans to construct a new 60-000 seater stadium.
