Stadium events and road closure at Anfield Stadium, Anfield Road, Liverpool

The site and route

The stadium has four stands and a 61,000 capacity, while the replacement route connects roads beside Stanley Park and remains open to pedestrians and cyclists.

“Site Description The application site comprises the existing Anfield stadium (“the stadium”) as expanded under planning permissions for replacement Main and Anfield Road Stands (14F/1262 and 20F/3090). The stadium now comprises four stands enclosing the football pitch. The Kop Stand, the Sir Kenny Dalgliesh Stand, the expanded Main stand (completed in 2017) and the new Anfield Road Stand (completed in 2023). The current capacity of the stadium for sporting events is 61,000.”

“The area to the north east of the stadium (bound by the edge of Stanley Park/ Dahlia Walk) is a predominately hard landscaped public realm area, which incorporates a route in place of the former Anfield Road (now built over by the Anfield Road stand), connecting between the junctions with Skerries Road and Alroy Road. This route was to be reopened as a privately managed and maintained by publicly accessible route on completion of the Anfield Road Stand.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, highway works, tree funding and a legal agreement removing the requirement for motor access.

“The variations, if approved, would: - Remove the restriction that prevented major events taking place in the month of July. Instead, the amendment proposed that events could take place in July, but there would remain a 31-day clear period in any 12 months where no events take place. - Remove the requirement of the legal agreement to provide a publicly accessible private highway for vehicles in place of Anfield Road.”

“(d) In the event that the Deed of Variation to the Legal Agreement required under (b) is not signed by 30 th December 2026 then the Director of Planning and Building Control be given additional delegated authority for the discretion to refuse the application for the reason that: ‘The applicant has not entered into a legal agreement to pay a commuted sum in lieu of the provision/enhancement of street trees, open space or affordable housing, towards a review of the parking and…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Police and Building Control supported continued closure for security and stadium safety, while Highways raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Comment: Building Control is the Councils lead for sports ground safety and the service that issues the General Safety or Special Safety Certificates for Anfield. From a sports ground safety perspective, the continuation of the road closure to prevent general public vehicular movement to Anfield Road, should be maintained for following reasons:- • The potential for a road traffic incident to occur which either damages the fabric of the stadium or impacts on the external…”

“In response to the request to hold major events over the month of July, Building Control have no comments to make on this matter. All events not listed under the 'Specified Activities' as detailed in the grounds General Safety Certificate, when the bowl of the stadium is used, will require a Special Safety Certificate. Building Control will assess the Page 142”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Councillors, residents and businesses raised concerns about broken assurances, diverted traffic, parking, safety, noise, air quality and residential amenity.

“Overcrowding and access: Large crowds regularly block footpaths and roads, resulting in residents experiencing difficulty accessing their homes during events. • Traffic and parking pressures: Residents highlight increased traffic on narrow residential streets (notably Arkles Road) due to road closures and diversions.”

“The key issues raised are summarised as follows: • Many respondents state that earlier planning approvals and consultations were based on assurances that Anfield Road would be reopened following completion of the stadium expansion. The current proposal is perceived as a reversal of those commitments, leading to concerns about loss of trust between the applicant, the Council, and the local community.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported the application on security grounds, while three councillors and a local resident spoke against it.

Committee discussion

Members proposed deferral to enable a site visit and obtain documents about the risk assessment and potential threat around the stadium.

“That consideration of this item be deferred in order for the Committee to undertake a site visit and to receive documents in relation to the Risk Assessment that has been carried out and the potential threat around the stadium.”

Minutes

The vote

The deferral amendment received eight votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions, and became the substantive motion.

“The Amendment became the Substantive Motion and with the same voting, it was carried and resolved accordingly.”

Minutes