REDS NEW STADIUM `MUST BE VIABLE' Pledge on finances from chief exec Parry.

Byline: MIKE HORNBY

LIVERPOOL FC chief executive Rick Parry has warned he is not prepared to bankrupt the club should the cost of a the new stadium spiral out of control.

He said he was confident that work on the move to Stanley Park will begin by next spring.

But he added a note of caution by saying that the club would only proceed if the plan remains viable.

And he ruled out any chance of a ground share with Everton -- even if the Blues were able to find funding for the project.

A figure of pounds 80m has always been the figure given for the cost of the stadium, but more recently a figure of pounds 90m was mentioned in the Liverpool FC magazine.

Construction costs in Liverpool are rising by 10% a year.

Mr Parry said: ``There is a higher cost here which must be considered as with all projects of this nature.

``We will only proceed with the stadium if it is viable and costs do not spiral out of control.

``We are not going to bankrupt or over-stretch the club -- although we are confident it will go ahead. ''

The club has been at the centre of speculation over new investment for months. First there was talk about money from Thailand, then shareholder Steve Morgan put forward his own proposals. More recently two US-based Liverpool fans have claimed they have had initial talks with the club.

The ECHO revealed yesterday that a major hurdle to the plan has been removed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who decided not to call it in for a planning inquiry.

Mr Parry said: ``It is extremely good news. It's a big step and it is not necessarily the last legal hurdle but it is a big significant hurdle that's been overcome tonight.

``We are not expecting any further challenges -- we've always hoped there wouldn't be and we are not just delighted for the club but for the local community.

``We will progress on schedule with the stadium complete in 2007. ''

Opponents said today they were unsurprised by the government ruling and are now looking at new ways to block the scheme.

Joe Kenny, of Anfield Regeneration Action Committee, believes allowing up to 15, 000 more football fans into the stadium will harm residents' quality of life.

Mr Kenny, former Lib Dem councillor, now an independent for the Anfield ward, said today: ``It may be that we will need to ask for a judicial review in light of the fact that neither the city council or the ODPM has given due consideration to what this development will mean for the people who live around Stanley Park. ''

Others, however, welcomed the news.

Alan Blundell, of Walton Breck Road Residents' Association, added: ``It is good news because it is vital LFC remains a part of this community.

``If the club was forced to move out we would lose jobs. ''

CAPTION(S):

DREAM: The planned stadium. Right: Liverpool Football Club chief executive Rick Parry