Monday 22nd May 2006
ANFIELD ONLINE LFC NEWS

LIVERPOOL COUNCILLORS HOLDING UP STADIUM PLANS

Councillor Steve Radford of Tuebrook - one of three people delaying the reds move for European funding

The reds could be set to lose European cash for the funding of the stadium after three Liverpool councillors have asked for further 'discussion' on proposals.

Plans to publicise the loss of part of Stanley Park, where the club's new home would be built, are now on hold.

The advertisement, agreed by the council less than two weeks ago, would prove that the project is still on track and help convince European officials to hand over about £10m.

But a handful of city councillors want the proposal investigated further and have ordered it beforea town hall committee.

It means the advert will not be made for a few more weeks, possibly longer.

With the council and Liverpool FC working around the clocktomeet tight deadlines on the £160m scheme, community leaders fear the delay could cause real problems.

The Reds have less than three months to provide a cast-iron guarantee thatthe 60,000-seater stadium will be built - or millions of pounds of European cash could be lost.

Anfield councillor Robbie Quinn today called on objectors to stepaside so the scheme could progress.

He said: "The stadium plans went through extensive consultation with the community and most people gave them a cautious welcome.

"To call the plans in to a committee now places a real risk on the European funding.

"The club is at a crucial stage of negotiations to secure thatmoney and the last thing they want to hear is that the process is being frustrated. It is ridiculous and irresponsible for councillors with no democratic mandate in this area to halt these developments.

"They need to realise thatareas will remain in squalor while they take this action."

But Tuebrook councillor Steve Radford, one of three to call in the scheme, says there are still many unanswered questions.

He added: "The public have been left in the dark. We want to make sure that residents know what the deal is if Stanley Park is sacrificed.

"We have not had a full explanation about how traffic and parking will be handled, and what access there will be to the new Anfield Plaza.

"No one has given us an honest answer to these questions."

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