Everton FC's Kirkby project: How the stadium fight was won and lost

Everton Kirkby Stadium EVERTON'S plans to build a new stadium in Kirkby alongside a major Tesco supermarket have been rejected by the government.Communities secretary John Denham decided the £400m Destination Kirkby project would breach shopping policies which discourage supermarket chains from sucking business away from town and city centres.But the ECHO can reveal he was only convinced of that yesterday (Wed), two days before he was legally obliged to make up his mind.A major factor behind his alleged dithering was the potential of the stadium project to regenerate Kirkby, provide the football club with a brand spanking new stadium, pour over £400m into the region, and create up to 7,000 short-term, long-term and supply jobs.Everton FC last night refused to comment on the decision - which will be officially confirmed today - and the shattering of their dream of a new 50,000-capacity stadium.But the club is expected to hold a press conference at Goodison Park this afternoon.A spokesman for retail partner Tesco also refused to comment officially but admitted: "We're obviously bitterly disappointed and we need to take stock of the decision to decide what we say or do next."

Source: Liverpool_Echo