LIVERPOOL FC last night unveiled its new Anfield stadium – and unlike previous Stanley Park projects, this one does not seem destined for the relegation zone.
Ground capacity will rise from just under 45,000 to almost 60,000 by rebuilding the Main Stand and expanding the Anfield Road Stand in a scheme likely to cost £150m.
The aim is to start work next year on the new main stand, with it opening at the start of the 2016/17 season.
The club’s owners have gone for something far more modest than the super stadium destined for Stanley Park, which would have seen the club heavily in debt for years to come.
And that makes this new scheme the most likely to get off the ground, hopefully bringing to an end the blight that has beset the Anfield area for decades.
Although regeneration schemes have started in the area, the reality is little could be done until LFC sorted itself out: by moving to Stanley Park, heading elsewhere (Speke used to be cited as a potential home) or staying put and transforming the club ‘s spiritual home.
The scheme is divided into two phases - expansion of the Main Stand and outline proposals for expansion of the Anfield Road Stand.
Public consultation and exhibitions on the proposals are scheduled for this week and LFC is asking for residents, fans and local businesses to give their views. The club wants to submit its planning application within months, certainly by this summer.
An extra 8,500 seats could be added to the Main Stand, taking its capacity to nearly 21,000. That would expand the ground’s potential gate to 54,000.
The Main Stand
Incorporating the club crest into the proposed Main Stand’s exterior elevation, the scheme includes a two-storey podium and a carefully designed cloister which will become the new home for the Hillsborough Memorial. The Main Stand will open onto a wide public concourse which will link the Stadium into the wider Anfield area.
The outline proposals for the Anfield Road Stand provide for an increase in its capacity of around 4,800 seats.
Ian Ayre, Managing Director, Liverpool Football Club, said: “In order to move forward with our expansion plans we need to have certainty that we can navigate the complex planning process and secure the support of the community, local home owners, businesses and other key stakeholders. This consultation exercise is an important part of this process.
“We started this journey just over 18 months ago and a lot of work has already been done, there is still an incredible amount to do, but good progress has been made so far and we are proud to be able to unveil our plans.”
Liverpool City Council has confirmed that negotiations with property owners are progressing well and all parties are close to agreement but there are still details to be finalised.
Following this consultation process, Liverpool FC expects to refine its plans and submit a planning application to the city council during the summer.
If consent is granted, construction work on the proposed Main Stand could begin early next year and it could be complete in time for the 2016/17 season.
Mayor Joe Anderson, said: “This is another important step in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing.
“The overall regeneration of Anfield will see £260m invested in the local community and will deliver hundreds of jobs - Liverpool Football Club’s proposals for the stadium are a key part of this.”
Brian Cronin, Chief Executive of Your Housing Group, said: “This is another significant step in the process for the Anfield Project and we welcome the headway which is being made by all parts of the partnership. Once again, the local community are being given the opportunity to see the proposals before the application is made which underlines the ‘community first’ approach we are collectively taking.”
“It’s doubtless that many of our residents are very keen to see the plans and see how the new stadium might look and we are committed to making this happen.”
A drop-in public exhibition for local residents and businesses is taking place on Thursday 24th April 2014 (12noon – 8pm)
A public exhibition for fans is taking place at Anfield Family Park around the Chelsea match on Sunday 27th April 2014(10am – 2.30pm)
Comments can be submitted at the public exhibition or alternatively the Club has set up a number of ways to submit comments via the LFC website at:http://www.liverpoolfc.com/stadium
Comments are invited until the close of the consultation period at 5pm on Friday 2nd May, 2014
