New Everton stadium plans passed

The new stadium would seat 50,000 supporters

Plans for a new stadium for Everton Football Club outside Liverpool have been approved by Knowsley council.

The proposals will now be referred to the government office to see whether it will be called in for a public enquiry.

The �400m scheme includes a 50,000 seat stadium and Tesco superstore on an 85,500 sq m site in Kirkby, Merseyside.

Neighbouring councils have opposed the development, saying it will take away trade, but others say it is vital for the town's regeneration.

Although Knowsley Council's planning committee has approved the scheme, it cannot grant permission because of its size.

It will now be referred to the government office for the north west.

The office, acting on behalf of the local government minister Hazel Blears, will then decide whether to approve the plans or call-in the application.

Opposition to the regeneration plan has been led by the Kirkby Residents Action Group, which claims the scheme is simply too big for the size of the town.

Campaigners say the combination of the stadium and superstore would cause traffic chaos, especially on match days.

Tesco says its plans have been revised in response to public consultations and that people in Kirkby are largely in favour of the large-scale redevelopment of the town.

Kirkby is about nine miles from the centre of Liverpool in the neighbouring borough of Knowsley.

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