Everton Stadium Update: Council appoint new planning officer

Liverpool City Council have named Samantha Campbell as their new head of planning, with Everton’s proposed new stadium one of the principle projects she will oversee.

Mrs Campbell is the first female to take the role, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that she will be involved in decisions on all major projects.

This includes the new stadium at Bramley Moore, plans to build 35,000 new homes across the city and massive regeneration projects such as the planned Beatles Quarter on Mathew Street.

Campbell has worked for the council for 19 years and has already been heavily involved in regeneration projects such as the Kings Dock and Anfield stadium expansion.

She has also worked on current projects such as the new Cruise Liner Terminal and Liverpool Waters - where Bramley Moore is located.

Speaking of her appointment, Campbell said:

“I’m delighted to be Liverpool’s new head of planning and it’s a real honour to be the first female officer in this role. Hopefully the first of many more to come!

“Liverpool is undergoing phenomenal change and although this presents a great many challenges in terms of which areas need developing and how, it also provides huge opportunities to make the city a better place to live, work and visit.

“Liverpool’s World Heritage status is a fascinating issue to be involved and I’m lucky to be at the heart of many exciting projects that will shape the city for generations to come.

“I’ve learnt a great deal over the years and I’m looking forward to using all that experience to continue to build on existing relationships to promote a positive, engaging and customer-focused planning department.”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson added:

“I wish Samantha every success in her new role. She has a great track record working on some of the biggest schemes the city has seen and her expertise will be invaluable to the city council.

“Liverpool is undergoing unprecedented growth and with our ambition to create thousands of new homes and develop areas like Ten Streets the Head of Planning will play a key role in ensuring that growth is sustained.”

Everton are currently in discussions over funding for the £500m project, with the council set to loan £280m with the rest coming from private finance.

Supporters were treated to some early renderings at workshops led by architect Dan Meis last month, but are eagerly awaiting images of what the new stadium will look like.

It is hoped funding will be agreed and planning permission submitted this summer, with the club hoping to move into the stadium for the start of the 2022/23 season.