Everton Football Club’s decision to alter its plans for a new stadium has been greeted with opposition.

A mooted site, which would keep the stadium within the city boundaries, has been dismissed by the club as too small.

Although it is applying for a 50,000 to 55,000-seater stadium, it wants the potential to expand to 75,000 in the future. Bestway, which owns the proposed site, has expressed its disappointment with Everton’s stance.

Everton is favouring moving the stadium to a larger site at Kirkby, but this has been greeted with a mixed response from local residents who are concerned over the effects of match day traffic and loss of green space.

A residents’ group has announced that it will push for a public inquiry if the stadium plans are approved.

The Kirkby scheme would also involve the construction of a Tesco supermarket. However, Development Securities, which is currently managing a separate project, the redevelopment of Kirkby town centre, is threatening to call in the Office of Fair Trading and Competition Commission if the store gets the go ahead, arguing it would kill off the town.

Meanwhile, Everton’s rival, Liverpool FC, has received planning permission for a 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park, which could be extended to 75,000 at a later date.