LIVERPOOL BOARD: THERE
WILL BE NO GROUND SHARE
 Liverpool
have poured cold water on claims they could share a new stadium
with Everton - and insisted their plans to re-locate will continue.
Chief executive Rick Parry said: ``The planning permission for
our new stadium at Stanley Park will be submitted in a fortnight
and we hope to be up and running there by 2006, so there is not
a moment to lose.''
Local councillors and development groups have urged the clubs to
consider sharing a new stadium, with another docklands site suggested.
But Parry is adamant Liverpool will move from Anfield to a new
60,000-seater ground.
He said: ``This is more than just a new stadium in Stanley Park,
it's about the regeneration of north Liverpool itself.
``The club have been working closely with the Anfield Breckfield
Steering Group and City Council for the past three years to put
together a comprehensive regeneration package which addresses the
needs of the wider community.
``These proposals were put to the public in an extensive consultative
exercise involving 19,500 households, which resulted in a strong
vote in favour of the plans.''
He added: ``This is no false dawn. We are working round the clock
to put the funding packages in place. We've spent millions so far
in putting together a robust and deliverable project, but the timescales
are now absolutely critical.
``It's vital for the City of Culture programme that the stadium
is open for the start of the 2006-07 season so work can be completed
on the Anfield Plaza and associated projects. We need to start building
in 2004.''
He went on: ``That is why the planning application for the new
stadium will be going to the City Council within the next two weeks,
because any delays are going to make the project untenable.
``Working alongside the community, we have invested a huge amount
of money and effort in putting this together and are determined
to press ahead with our plans.''
Everton's own plans for a new stadium at the Kings Dock collapsed
over funding, and they have no immediate plans to move from Goodison
Park.
|
