Liverpool have announced the details of their proposed new 70,000-seater stadium that will be built in Stanley Park, a stone’s throw away from their current home Anfield.
In a meeting with the local resident associations and the city council, Liverpool FC’s Chief Executive Rick Parry presented the details of the new ground, which has been compared to the magnificent Nou Camp in Barcelona.
The new circular stadium, which will be built on the Vernon Sangster sports club car park in Stanley Park, will offer a clear, unobstructed view of the pitch to all the fans, and according to the Liverpool Echo, "banks of seats will gradually rise to an outside elevation of 17m - similar to the height of the existing ground."
Parry said, "This isn't simply a new stadium for Liverpool Football Club, it is part of a wide ranging regeneration package for the area"
"We have a forum in the steering group where we can have measured and rational debate and I felt it was very constructive last night. It is important we work in a three way partnership with the community, the club and the city council."
"There is a long way to go with this project and we are still only in the early stages. It was only three months ago that we had the idea of examining the Park and that is not a long time for a project of this size."
'"n the new spirit of communication and transparency we are sticking to our side of the bargain. We said to the community that as soon as we had our outline drawings available then we would share them. It is important to communicate regularly with the steering group and as soon as we have ideas we will put them in front of them."
"This will be a long, hard process and it will require a tremendous amount of good-will on everybody's part. We all want a rejuvenated Anfield with improved facilities for people to live, work and play. We will play a full part in the process."
However the plans were not welcomed by one and all in the city of Liverpool. Anfield Liberal Democrat councillor, Joe Kenny, who boycotted the meeting said, "The steering group is not representative of the area."
"I am an elected representative and I will act for the local people. I believe the money given to the steering group by the council should be used for a referendum of the 20,000 in the area. Local people are being kidded by the club."
Fellow councillor Keiron Reid added, "The vast majority of people are opposed to them building on the park or expanding on this site."
"It also seems astounding that they haven't done any work on transport strategy to end the misery caused by parking problems."
Despite the protests from the local authorities, Liverpool’s planning application for the new stadium is expected to be heard in early in the New Year.
As the present stadium at Anfield is likely be demolished, the club faces another tricky problem, as many supporters through the years have had their ashes scattered on the hallowed pitch.
|