Liverpool
get Stanley Park green light. 
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=418216&cc=4716
Work on Liverpool's new stadium in Stanley Park will start next
month.
New owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, along with club chief
executive Rick Parry, held talks with Liverpool City Council leader
Warren Bradley and director of regeneration John Kelly at the
weekend after which the green light was given to the redevelopment
of Stanley Park.
A statement said: '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.'
A review of the initially proposed 60,000 capacity - which may be
increased - is ongoing and tenders for the redevelopment of Stanley
Park will be carried out this month.
Construction is hoped to start by the end of the July with a
completion target of the end of 2008.
'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,' the statement continued.
'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.'
As expected, the possibility of a groundshare with Everton has been
closed.
'Today's announcement has effectively ended the possibility of a
joint stadium for the city's two Premiership clubs,' the statement
added.
'Despite full and frank talks between the city council and the two
clubs, 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.'
Parry said: 'We have been working for many years with the city
council and the community to deliver not just a new stadium but
also the regeneration of north 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. Already,
some very exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely
with the city council on the best way forward.
'We are all endeavouring to ensure that the plans can be
implemented, as soon as possible while at the same time ensuring
there is no delay in the regeneration process.
'We are delighted with the working relationship we have with the
city council. Our goals are the same: to create an incredible
facility the whole city can be proud of.'
Council leader Bradley spoke of the dream of a 'new Anfield'.
'It has long been the dream of fans, and the ambition of the club,
to build a fantastic stadium to rival the best anywhere in the
world.
'Today, the decisions are now on place to turn the dream of a new
Anfield into a reality.
'We have worked tirelessly with the club and its new owners, and
the final agreements are now almost in place to allow the work to
start in a matter of weeks. A world-class stadium, fit for a
world-class club and a word-class city, is now a real
prospect.
'The benefits will reach out much further than football. 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.'
Cheers! 
