LIVERPOOL FC's plans for a new 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park have been resubmitted to the city council for fresh approval, the Daily Post can reveal.
It is the most robust sign in months that the club remains determined to proceed with the project despite mounting doubts about its affordability. And last night the North West Development Agency confirmed it will hand over crucial millions to the scheme as long as the club can raise the necessary private finance.
Costs for Stanley Park have risen from an original £80m five years ago to at least £160m now.
New planning guidelines have forced the club to seek renewed permission after it was originally granted way back in July, 2004.
A number of stipulations have been laid out, including one restricting the stadium to the same crowd capacity as Anfield - 45,000, instead of the 60,000 it wants to seat - until it comes up with an acceptable transport plan to cope with extra fans.
The club will be determined to ensure that happens swiftly because a new stadium would be ultimately pointless if it did not give the club the extra gate power it needs to compete with rivals like Manchester United, whose Old Trafford ground will soon seat 76,000.
The future of the Stanley Park scheme has been in doubt over recent months as costs spiralled and the board struggled to secure the finances.
But last night a Liverpool FC spokesman confirmed: "We remain confident and are very much committed to making sure the new stadium goes ahead."
The club has now signed a formal contract with the council agreeing to put in place infrastructure, such as new roads and parking, around the stadium if it goes ahead.
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