Hazel Blears says planning decisions for 60,000-seater Liverpool FC stadium will be made at local level

The government has given the go-ahead for Liverpool Football Club’s new £400m stadium.

Liverpool stadium

Secretary of state, Hazel Blears, agreed that the final decision will be made locally and that government did not need to intervene in the planning.

The scheme at Goodison Park will now be inspected by the city council planners.

The new stadium will seat 60,000 spectators and include leisure and retail facilities, as well as 114 executive boxes.

The current stadium will be turned into a sports centre and hotel including a car park.