Everton have expressed their disappointment after plans for their new stadium were 'called in'.
Government to look closely at plans
Everton have expressed their disappointment after plans for their new stadium were 'called in'.
The Toffees are looking to move to a larger ground to increase revenue and they have identified a site outside the city boundaries at Knowsley.
However, the Government has now decided to investigate the proposals, which will lead to delays and spiralling costs.
"We are disappointed by the decision," Everton said in a statement on the club's
official website.
"Having spent more than two years working diligently on a project which would not only provide Everton Football Club with a new home but also regenerate Kirkby, we had hoped to avoid a Government call-in.
"Indeed, it was only in June that Knowsley Borough Council's Planning Committee voted by a majority of 20-1 to grant planning permission.
"We shall now engage in detailed discussions with our development partners, KBC and Tesco, to assess what options are open to us.
"It is important to stress that this decision does not spell the end of the Destination Kirkby project - but it will, self-evidently, precipitate a period of reflection, assessment and re-evaluation."
Critical
Everton's new acting chief executive Robert Elstone had earlier thrown his weight behind the club's plans to move to a new stadium.
"The economics of the Premier League are becoming more and more demanding," he said.
"It is important Everton keeps pace with the spending powers of our peer group and our rivals in the league.
"To do that a new stadium is critical, and the strongest option available to the club - in terms of affordability and what it can do for us in a business sense - is the one at Kirkby."
"While Goodison is a wonderful old stadium, it does constrain the club financially."
