Proposals to upgrade Liverpool FC’s youth development facility have been lodged, with architect KSS on board for design work.
In plans now validated on Knowsley Council’s planning portal, a substantial redevelopment is proposed, including the conversion of the existing show pitch into a domed environment and the extension of the main block.
As set out by planning consultant Ryan & May, the application site comprises the existing LFC Academy training ground on Arbour Lane in Kirkby, adjacent to the first team squad’s facility.
The site has a long association with LFC, having being acquired by the club in 1998 and used as its youth training facility since. A previous consent was granted in 2017 for works of a similar scale, as part of a larger application relating to the first team training ground.
LFC Academy layout p plandocs
The site will be reworked. Credit: planning documents
Now, alternative proposals are set out to extend the existing Academy building and provide new and enhanced accommodation, including a gym, sports science suite, changing facilities and visitor accommodation as the club looks to create a campus environment.
KSS and landscape architect Planit, who worked together on the Anfield Road stand’s redevelopment at Anfield, team up again for the project. Also on board are Mott MacDonald, Turley, Hilson Moran, Curtins, TEP, Urban Green and OBI Sports.
Parts of the previous application have been built out, meaning the consent as a whole is regarded as “implemented” in planning terms, something that should be a material consideration this time around for those parts not developed, such as the dome. The show pitch has a 499-capacity spectator stand, in line with UEFA requirements for showpiece under-18 and under-21 matches.
At present the academy’s main building is, said Ryan & May, considered small by category 1 standards. The proposed extension, which includes a link to the new indoor pitch building, will accommodate a large new gym, medical facilities, presentation room and a new entrance atrium.
This will enable reconfiguration, accommodating new and improved changing rooms, enlarged kitchen and dining facilities and additional classrooms and meeting spaces.
LFC Academy approach CGI p plandocs
The approach to the complex will feature a view into the new domed facility. Credit: planning documents
Perhaps the biggest change is that the existing show pitch will have an ETFE dome aded, with an artificial surface introduced instead of grass. The current artificial pitch to the north will be replaced by a grass pitch, and a new spectator stand built, with changing rooms, accessible viewing areas, toilets and a TV gantry added.
Forty parking spaces will be added, while according to planning documents 32 trees will be lost. More than 80 new trees will be added, in line with council policy.
The LFC men’s first team facility moved from long-term base Melwood in West Derby in 2020, on the opening of the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby. After Torus’s plans to convert most of the Melwood site for housing were scrapped, LFC bought the site back, reopening the site as a base for its women’s teams in 2023 and putting in plans to enhance the site, which also houses the Fowler Academy.
Want to know more? The plans can be seen in full on Knowsley Council’s planning portal, reference 25/90688/FUL.