New stadium to be completed within two years.
From the BBC, we've been given the green light!
Liverpool will start the development of their new stadium in Stanley Park in May after plans were agreed at a meeting held over the weekend.
Reds new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, along with chief executive Rick Parry, met key figures from Liverpool City Council, who approved the plan.
But the news ends any possibility of a new joint stadium with Everton.
It is hoped that once tenders have gone out, construction will start in July and be finished by the end of 2008.
We are working closely with the city council on the best way forward
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry
Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley and director of regeneration John Kelly attended the meeting with the representatives from the Anfield club.
"Work on the final legal agreements between the city council and club is almost complete which will allow work on the new stadium to start next month under the existing planning permission granted last year," said a statement.
Chief executive Parry said the news was exciting for the club and the city of Liverpool.
"Our new owners have taken the sensible decision to review the plans to enable us to create an even better stadium that will serve the needs of the club and the fans for the next 50 years," said Parry.
"Already, some very exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely with the city council on the best way forward."
A review of the initially proposed 60,000 capacity be conducted this month - and take place in consultation with fans.
"A joint venture company will be set up by the end of this month to deliver the comprehensive regeneration of Stanley Park and the new community partnership centre," added the statement.
"Tenders for the refurbishment of Stanley Park will go out in April with a contractor to be appointed and work starting by the end of July, with the work completed by the end of 2008.
"A review of the 60,000 capacity of the new stadium is being carried out by the club and consultations with fans are already under way."
It was felt that the possibility of sharing with Everton raised too many potential problems.
"The proposal had too many unknowns and would have created significant delays which could have put the entire new Anfield and Stanley Park project at risk."
Bradley added that the development would have wide-reaching implications.
"The benefits will reach out much further than football," said the council leader.
"Our agreement will secure the massive regeneration of the Anfield area and the transformation of Stanley Park.
"Today will go down as a significant date in the history of the club and the city."
From the BBC, we've been given the green light!
Liverpool will start the development of their new stadium in Stanley Park in May after plans were agreed at a meeting held over the weekend.
Reds new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, along with chief executive Rick Parry, met key figures from Liverpool City Council, who approved the plan.
But the news ends any possibility of a new joint stadium with Everton.
It is hoped that once tenders have gone out, construction will start in July and be finished by the end of 2008.
We are working closely with the city council on the best way forward
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry
Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley and director of regeneration John Kelly attended the meeting with the representatives from the Anfield club.
"Work on the final legal agreements between the city council and club is almost complete which will allow work on the new stadium to start next month under the existing planning permission granted last year," said a statement.
Chief executive Parry said the news was exciting for the club and the city of Liverpool.
"Our new owners have taken the sensible decision to review the plans to enable us to create an even better stadium that will serve the needs of the club and the fans for the next 50 years," said Parry.
"Already, some very exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely with the city council on the best way forward."
A review of the initially proposed 60,000 capacity be conducted this month - and take place in consultation with fans.
"A joint venture company will be set up by the end of this month to deliver the comprehensive regeneration of Stanley Park and the new community partnership centre," added the statement.
"Tenders for the refurbishment of Stanley Park will go out in April with a contractor to be appointed and work starting by the end of July, with the work completed by the end of 2008.
"A review of the 60,000 capacity of the new stadium is being carried out by the club and consultations with fans are already under way."
It was felt that the possibility of sharing with Everton raised too many potential problems.
"The proposal had too many unknowns and would have created significant delays which could have put the entire new Anfield and Stanley Park project at risk."
Bradley added that the development would have wide-reaching implications.
"The benefits will reach out much further than football," said the council leader.
"Our agreement will secure the massive regeneration of the Anfield area and the transformation of Stanley Park.
"Today will go down as a significant date in the history of the club and the city."
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