Inquiry Closes, Report Due In June

The Destination Kirkby inquiry closed today - with the Inspector's report unlikely to go before the secretary of state until mid-June.

Lead inspector Wendy Burden brought the 36-day public inquiry at the Kirkby Civic Suite to a close on Friday.

But she said the complexity of the case and volume of evidence meant compiling her report to secretary of state Hazel Blears would be a lengthy process.

She explained she would do her best produce the report quickly.

Ms Burden said: "This is not a straightforward case and there are a number of complex issues. With that in mind I would hope to have the report delivered by mid-June.

"I understand the urgency of this case and I will try to submit an early report."

Earlier, Patrick Clarkson, QC, presented the closing submission for Tesco and Everton.

He addressed a variety of concerns that had been raised by all the objectors to the proposal.

First, he said: "The fundamentals of this scheme and judgements on them are key. The proposal is to regenerate Kirkby through major development of a football stadium and shops.  The need to regenerate is urgent, and of national as well as local significance. The product of redevelopment will resonate nationally given the figure in the region of 3000 new jobs being created

He then underlined how important it was for Everton to move to a new stadium. "It is a specious suggestion that Everton should stay where they are or that they are trying to steal a march on their competitors by constructing a stadium they cannot afford," he declared. 

"That is luddite business planning of ‘do nothing and it will be alright'. On the contrary, as above, Everton are investing in the future like any business by raising finance for a stadium which will provide one of the best customer experiences in the country."

He then moved on to the benefits to Kirkby.

"This is a town that is not performing the role it should be," Mr Clarkson explained. "Expansion allows it to fulfil the role, and to prosper with no deleterious consequences for other towns or the planning regime more generally. The failure to deliver a shop which has planning permission for a decade indicates this and cannot be hidden by a suggestion of inability to assemble land.  If the opportunity is good enough the retailers are energetic enough to unlock it."

Mr Clarkson then said that Tesco's ability to deliver funding even in the current economic climate was an opportunity not to be missed. "None suggests that Tesco is unable to fund their element of the scheme," he said. "Not many developers can or are prepared to say that currently. Indeed Tesco is one of the few organisations who can deliver in this market."

Next, he addressed the negative imapact on neighbouring centres, claimed by the objectors.

"There are substantial questions as to whether Skelmersdale redevelopment will be delivered in the short to medium term.  If it does come forward, it will not impinge on Destination Kirkby, and vice versa. They are not mutually exclusive," he began.

"KMBC has satisfied itself that any impacts on Huyton and Prescot can be accommodated by those towns assisted by healthy trading positions of current anchors and projects already in place, for example to emphasis the historic High Street of Prescot as a cultural quarter.  With the solid existing retail support they are well able to accommodate any diversion."

He also explained why the effects on Liverpool One, Bootle and St Helens would be negligible.

"Whatever the conclusion as to the quantity of impact and whether or not it is significant, a fundamental conclusion is invited that the social and economic benefits hugely outweigh those impacts," he added, before moving on to the design of the development as a whole.

"The design aims for a different and more complex objective, which is radically to overhaul the attraction of Kirkby as a destination, whilst injecting new life into the existing area north of Cherryfield Drive, " he said.

The stadium was described as, ‘a striking, landmark building', with ‘excellent facilities'.

In referring to the proposed transport arrangements for the development, Mr Clarkson said: "There is no plausible suggestion that this system is unworkable and both the bus operators and the highways authority are content with it.

"The Council have assessed this (noise) aspect of the proposals and are satisfied that effects can be mitigated successfully," he continued.

Finally, he concluded: "Alongside the retail improvement is the exciting presence of a new stadium for Everton that will be the landmark to consolidate the new Kirkby in the regional, national and international perception.  Kirkby will be a town of importance once the Secretary of State has addressed the issues facing the town. 

"The Inspector is respectfully asked to report to the Secretary of State that planning permission should be granted as a matter of extreme urgency."