Just before Christmas the Toffees plan to submit the long-awaited planning application for their Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. New renders of the venue are planned for the occasion.

It's long been expected that Everton FC will file their new stadium planning application before the end of 2019. As we're already in mid-December, it's no wonder there wasn't much time left. That's why many supporters must have been relieved to hear on Friday that the club has a specific date in mind: December 23. This ends rumours of supposed delays or setbacks.

The great Christmas gift for Toffees fans will come packaged with brand new renderings of the 52,000-seat stadium, which are supposed to show its updated shape, following the completed consultation process.

“Working alongside our design consultants, we have analysed the feedback to enhance the concepts we’ve already shared for the look, feel and layout of a stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, including our plans to not only preserve but to also celebrate the site’s heritage.” stadium development director Colin Chong wrote.

“It is a case of evolution rather than any major changes to the design presented during the second stage consultation. The results of that consultation made it clear Dan Meis’ design was incredibly well received. The elements that the feedback told us people really loved about the design – the use of brick, the steepness of the stands, the respect to the area’s heritage and nod to Archibald Leitch’s architecture in the brickwork as well as the blending of new and old – will all be present within our final proposals.”

The club has also announced a separate outline planning application, for the demolition and legacy of Goodison Park. The historical stadium is expected to be replaced by a mixed development including residential, commercial and community facilities. Both applications should be determined at the same time.