Goodison Park Legacy Project moves forward with approval

The proposed redevelopment of Everton FC’s 129-year-old Goodison Park home has taken a step forward with approval of the latest plans for the scheme.Proposals are for the demolition of the 39,572-capacity stadium and transformation of the site for a mixed-use development including houses, shops, a new care home, offices and open space.The application, made by Everton FC (Everton Stadium Development), is referred to as the Goodison Park Legacy Project.The proposal is made in parallel with now approved plans for development of a 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock to replace Goodison Park as the club’s home ground. This is together referred to as The People’s Project.Plans were approved by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee in February last year, however due to so much time elapsing since it was backed, planners needed to check the proposals against the council’s newly adopted Local Plan.Now the planning committee has backed a new application for the site.The city council said that, while there are no major changes afoot, it needs more affordable housing in the mix, all new buildings to be accessible and electric charging points in all car parks. It said at this stage plans are only outline and now that approval has been given, it will set out the parameters for a masterplan.The authority said bulldozers are unable start on the ‘Goodison Park legacy project’ until the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock is complete. Due to this, Everton FC are asking for a longer time period for planning permission. A start date of 2024 and completion in 2028 is on the cards.A pledge has also been made to continue consulting with residents, stakeholders and local businesses as the project continues.The scheme – alongside creating a community-led legacy at Goodison Park, which has also been approved – has been designed to help kick-start the regeneration of the northern docklands, contribute a £1.3bn boost to the region’s economy, create up to 15,000 jobs, attract 1.4 million visitors to the city each year and yield an additional £237m of societal value.