EVERTON'S plan to build a new training academy for its first team squad and youth players has been thrown into doubt.
A recent change to Liverpool City Council's policy for approving residential planning applications could force the club to abandon the plan.
Everton had hoped to win planning permission for a housing development on its current Bellefield training ground in West Derby. A sub-sequent sale of the land to a housebuilder was intended to help finance the new facility at Halewood.
However, the council's new policy, which follows government guidelines, restricts the number of new homes that can be built out-side the city centre and some inner-city districts.
Although it applied for planning permission in May, this has yet to be granted, and, as a consequence, the application falls within the new rules.
A council spokesman said yesterday: "The new policy would be one of the considerations that will be taken into account when this application is determined."
The spokesman added that no date has been set for a planning hearing as negotiations with the club are still going on.
With residential planning approval, Bellefield could net the club £12m in badly needed cash. The site is, however, virtually worthless without approval.
The new academy will cost around £10m. Proceeding with the academy is optional and building work could be deferred until Everton's finances are in better shape.
Staying at Bellefield is a viable alternative.
Alan Bowen, stadium manager at Goodison Park, said: "We are considering our position because we did lodge our application before the change in policy.
"We are considering all the possibilities at the moment."
Mr Bowen acknowledged that the cost of constructing the Halewood academy assumed that there would be money coming in from the sale of Bellefield.
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