Everton FC’s the People’s Project with insights from Aidan Miller
Everton FC’s project will deliver a state-of-the-art 52,888-capacity stadium for the club and will see the redevelopment of Everton FC’s current Goodison Park site. When both projects are combined, they could deliver a £1 billion boost to the regional economy.
What is the opinion of Everton FC fans? How is the community involved in the project? Are there legacy plans for Goodison Park? Aidan Miller, Stadium Development Head of Finance at Everton FC, discussed the club’s plans for the project.
Capturing the intimacy of Goodison Park
The new stadium will be bigger than Goodison Park as it features a capacity of 52,888, which has the potential to rise to 62,000 in the future subject to further planning permission and changes to regulation related to safe standing. At the same time the stadium has been designed to keep the intimacy of Goodison Park as fans will be as close to the action as possible and the overall design will help amplify the noise within the stadium to capture the intensity of Goodison Park while limiting the impact of noise pollution on the surrounding area.
“Goodison Park doesn’t allow us to match the kind of matchday or commercial revenue that they are generating. The club has completed an assessment of possible sites within Liverpool and particularly the club’s traditional home in North Liverpool, and have found the only site available to construct a new stadium is the site at Bramley-Moore Dock.”
Public consultations influence stadium design
Everton FC has listened to their fans and the local community as designs for the stadium were adapted following analysis of the feedback received through the club’s record-breaking public consultation.
“The club engaged in two wide scale public consultations obtaining feedback from fans, local residents, politicians, business leaders and community groups in November 2018 and August 2019. Together they generated over 63,000 responses with 98% supporting the design and 96% backing the club’s use of the historical features.”
Goodison Park’s legacy
The club has engaged significantly with local people to ensure that the plans for Goodison Park reflect the ambitions for the area. The outline planning application for the Goodison Park Legacy Project states that the scheme could include:
A Health Zone with a multi-purpose health and well-being centre
An Education Zone which could allow for the expansion of the Everton Free School or a new facility for adults, with the potential to also build a new children’s centre for community use
Community/green space, including the potential use of the current centre circle as a lasting reminder of Goodison Park’s footballing legacy
A mix of up to 173 houses and apartments
Spaces for community-led retail
Food and drink outlets
Around 4,700 sqm of office space, aimed at encouraging local start-ups and young entrepreneurs