TOFFEES’ STADIUM SET FOR A SWEET VICTORY
EVERTON have passed a key hurdle in their quest to build a new state-of-the-art stadium.
And that means they could start preliminary work on their site at Liverpool’s historic Bramley-moore Dock as early as this spring.
The club revealed an ambitious build schedule of just less than three years for the waterfront location.
Liverpool City Council released a 200-page report yesterday recommending the planning committee approve the development at a meeting on February 23.
That is despite objections from bodies such as UNESCO and Historic England.
The planning committee is likely to rubber stamp plans and allow them to pass to the final phase of approval.
City council support is the key to progress though, and the planning department report suggested approval be given because the benefits for the population of Liverpool far outweigh any heritage harm done to a site which is part of the historic docklands area.
If government approval is given in March, Everton will finalise their building programme and complete the funding process for the £500m stadium.
Building in earnest would then begin by the summer, with a view to moving in for the start of the 2024-25 season.
FOOTBALL fans could return to stadiums before the end of the season with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals being lined up as test events.
Wembley needs to stage two ahead of the seven matches it is set to host at this summer’s Euros.
And the finals on April 25 and May 15 are being pencilled in with a smaller number of spectators in attendance as pilot events.
It’s part of a Government plan which could see socially-distanced fans at other events including Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix, The Open and England cricket matches.
Spectators could be asked to take a lateral flow test before being allowed in.