Cries of ‘sacrilege’ as first five-star hotel is approved

Dec 13 2006 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

THE path was cleared for Liverpool’s first five-star hotel yesterday when a £130m waterfront project was given the go-ahead.

The city’s planning committee approved the New World Square development at Princes Dock despite objectors warning it will block out views of the Liver Building and strangle tourism in the city.

Wayne Colquhoun, chairman of Liverpool Preservation Trust, described the scheme as “sacrilegious” and a Crowne Plaza hotel spokesman said it would create an over-supply of hotel accommodation in the city – forcing other new hotel chains out of business.

The project is being delivered by developers Lead Asset Strategies (Liverpool) Ltd and is designed by leading UK architect John Lyall.

The developers are in talks with a number of five-star hotel chains with a view to operating from the site but said a deal could not be secured until the whole scheme had got the green light.

Apart from the hotel, the development will include a health spa, commercial office suites, restaurants, shops, 362 residential apartments, a new public piazza and a rooftop observatory, on the condition that developers include a large amount of greenery and soft planting as part of the scheme.

Work is likely to start in the early part of 2007 with completion targeted for late 2008.

Lead Asset Strategies chairman Raj Basu said: “It has been a lengthy process of consultation and dialogue with the planners, but I am pleased that we have now received approval for this extremely exciting development.

“We are looking forward to commencing work in the early part of the New Year and getting on with the delivery of what will be both a stunning new landmark and a vibrant destination on one of the world's greatest waterfronts.

“Although no deal with a hotel chain has yet been approved, we are certainly a lot closer after this decision.”

However Mr Colquhoun said: “This city has agreed a major scheme within the World Heritage area before a major report from Unesco on December 15.

“The Liver Building is iconic to the city of Liverpool and the view of it has always dominated Pier Head. We have had seamen in our families.

“They knew they were safely home from the sea when they saw the beacon that is the Liver Buildings and now that view is being compromised.

“It is sacrilegious. If you are going to put anything on this World Heritage Site, then it should be like the Liver Buildings – superior and classic. This development already looks dated.”

But Mr Lyall defended his designs, and said great care had been taken “to deliver a scheme that is architecturally distinctive but also highly respectful of its setting within the World Heritage Site”.

He added: “The council and the various design and heritage bodies have been extremely anxious to secure a development of real quality and happily we have been able to fulfil their aspirations.”

Ian Pollitt, chief executive of the Princes Dock Development Company, welcomed the planning decision and added: “I am absolutely delighted that this extremely important scheme has been given the go-ahead.

“New World Square is an important development linking Princes Dock and The Pier Head and we look forward to working with Lead Asset Strategies (Liverpool) and John Lyall in realising their exciting vision for this inspiring site.”

carolineinnes