Plans for the regeneration of Anfield have been overwhelmingly supported by the community, Liverpool leaders claimed.
Since proposals for the £200m-plus “Anfield Village” scheme were put forward, more than 1,700 residents have given their views to a consultation on the plans.
The findings show around 80% are in favour of the scheme, which will include major housebuilding or refurbishment of existing homes, as well as improvements to Anfield stadium to boost capacity.
But some in the community, who say they support the overall plans, say they are concerned that progress may be slower than initially envisaged.
According to the council’s findings “some 97% agreed it was important to improve the street scene and environment and 85% supported the plans for a revitalised high street. A further 83% backed the plans for Stanley Park and 78% supported the proposals for improved match day experiences.”
Around 80% were said to have backed plans for improved housing and 90% said Walton Breck Road badly needed improving for both residents and matchday visitors.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “People have given us invaluable information about the entire range of regeneration ideas and concepts which we unveiled.
“In the coming weeks we will use this information to refine our proposals and to undertake another listening and consultation exercise.
“We believe the plans are exciting and will deliver a massive improvement in quality of life for many thousands of people and be of major benefit to the city not just Anfield.”
The plans also include the development of a “food hub” in Stanley Park, which will have 24 catering points, which firms will be able to use on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The park will contain a showpiece avenue running from within Stanley Park up to the stadium. It is planned to name it in tribute to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Liverpool Football Club managing director Ian Ayre, who last year apologised for the slow progress in deciding whether the club would stay or move to Stanley Park and the blight that the community suffered as a result, said: “The findings of this community engagement exercise are a key milestone in the wider regeneration of the Anfield area and another important step towards transforming the area for the better.”
A hospitality training school, which functions as a working hotel will also form part of the plans.
