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Everton stadium plans ‘very well received’, says CEO

English Premier League football club Everton has thanked supporters for their involvement in the public consultation process for its new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock, with the findings set to be released in the new year.

The 19-day public consultation exercise ran from November 15 to December 3 under the campaign name ‘The People’s Project’ and marked the start of the process which will eventually lead to the submission of planning applications for the Bramley Moore Dock project and legacy plans for Goodison Park, Everton’s current home.

Members of the public were invited to attend a series of roadshows across the Liverpool region and give their views on the new stadium and legacy plans for Goodison Park. Exhibition information and a survey were also made available online.

The findings of the first-stage consultation survey in February, with the results set to form an important part of the planning application process.

Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in our first-stage public consultation for The People’s Project. We have had a truly outstanding response to our proposals. Our ambition is to create a new home for our football club which will drive new levels of profile, commercial opportunity and on-field success for the club.

“At the same time, a new landmark stadium in an iconic waterfront setting coupled with our continued commitment to Liverpool 4 through community-led regeneration at Goodison Park, will deliver a significant social, economic and cultural boost for the entire city region.

“The People’s Project represents a unique opportunity for the city region by delivering a £1bn boost to the economy, 15,000 jobs and 1.5 million new visitors to the city as well as regenerating north Liverpool.

“Over the course of the past few weeks, our intentions for the two sites have been subject to the scrutiny of thousands of our fans along with people from the wider city region and beyond. Early analysis of the data we have captured, shows that our plans have been very well received by the vast majority of people who have taken part in the consultation.

“I’ve been delighted to hear from blues, reds and other football fans, as well people who don’t follow the game, who support our proposals and recognise the transformational benefits The People’s Project brings to the city region.

“We will be working hard over the coming weeks to analyse data and feedback we’ve received and look forward to sharing the findings in the new year.”

Everton intends to submit a detailed planning application for a new stadium in the second half of 2019.

Image: Everton