Property developer draws up study for new Everton ground

Everton have been approached by a wealthy property developer over the building of a new stadium, although the club are likely to await the outcome of Liverpool's ongoing project before deciding to leave their historic home at Goodison Park.

Peel Holdings, a company led by multimillionaire John Whittaker and with a portfolio worth £2bn, is to provide a feasibility study into developing a stadium on land it owns in Netherton, a suburb in north Merseyside with close links to the M57 and M58 motorways. The company would meet the costs of the project with Everton gradually acquiring the stadium on a lease-back scheme.

Everton have been exploring stadium options for over a decade without success and Peel has a proven track record in the North-west, owning Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the Trafford Centre, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and the Manchester Ship Canal.

However, the club will continue to monitor developments at Anfield, where Liverpool are behind schedule in their plans to fund a £150m development on Stanley Park, before making any decision.