Everton’s stadium development director Colin Chong has confirmed Everton are seeking to buy land at Nelson Dock and hopes to use the land to bring in business that complement the new stadium at Bramley Moore.
Speaking at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, Chong confirmed Everton now has eyes on land at Nelson Dock after it’s Bramley Moore purchase sparked others to buy land near the stadium speculatively.
According to BusinessLive, Chong said: “Regeneration (of the area) started seven years ago when Everton started putting a planning application in.
“As soon as we put the planning application in there was speculative purchase of land nearby.”
During the discussion Chong reconfirmed Everton were finalising a deal for land at Nelson Dock that can showcase “how sport can kickstart and accelerate regeneration of that area”.
Chong revealed Everton’s owners The Friedkin Group wanted to buy land at Nelson Dock last month after he was appointed to look at redevelopment opportunities attached to the stadium. The former interim CEO suggested Nelson Dock could be developed to complement the new 53,000-capacity stadium.
Chong confirmed Everton were talking to the council about a master plan for the area around the stadium and Liverpool’s Ten Streets development, which has already attracted local businesses including bars set to serve Everton fans at Bramley Moore.
Liverpool has recently announced a new ‘Imagine Liverpool’ board of 13 executives who will be tasked with reshaping of the city’s economic landscape including attracting investment. That includes the area around Bramley Moore and covering Peel Ports’ £5.5bn investment in Liverpool Waters.
While there is excitement about Everton’s potential purchase of land at Nelson Dock, rumours it would lead to Everton filling in the dock itself could be wide of the mark. Peel has alreadys secured planning permission for hotels, homes and public spaces around Nelson Dock with a ‘floating’ sports facility on the dock itself and wildlife areas.
The club would have to secure new planning permission to infill the dock, an expensive undertaking that would have to gain approval and face scrutiny from heritage groups.
However, Chong has identified that the surrounding area does hold significant opportunities for development. He added: “(there are) parcels of land crying out for redevelopment”.
You can read the full BusinessLive report from the event here.