Everton stadium gets green light

Proposals for a new stadium for premiership side Everton have been approved by local authorities.

Proposals for a new stadium for premiership side Everton have been approved by local authorities.

Knowsley Borough Council has backed plans for the club to leave their current home of Goodison Park and create a new stadium in the Kirkby area of Liverpool.

The new stadium was put towards a planning committee, which approved it with a majority vote of 20 to one.

Everton's proposal was jointly made with supermarket chain Tesco, and could well signal a recruitment boost for local construction workers.

Everton chief executive Keith Wyness expressed his delight at the decision and what it will mean for the future of the club.

Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome, and I think the fact the vote was in no way close - 20 to 1 - shows that the Knowsley Borough councillors are ready to embrace the regeneration of the Kirkby area.

"This is another major step forward for us as a football club as we seek to find a new home."

The approved proposal will now have to go before government planners.