LIVERPOOL'S new £68m museum is to feature viewing platforms affording “beautiful views” across the Mersey and Pier Head.

National Museums Liverpool (NML) has applied for planning permission for the platforms as part of a redesign to improve the ramps for disabled people to access the building.

NML has also applied for permission to change the cladding from Travertine marble to Jura marble on the Museum of Liverpool which is currently being built at Mann Island.

It follows the sacking of Danish architects 3XN, who were replaced with Manchester-based practice AEW in November.

Heritage campaigners have raised concerns the change in material could lead to a impasse with the city's planning committee.

Last month, the Daily Post revealed just how important the material used in the cladding was to the council when the scheme was originally given planning permission.

Last night, a NML spokesman said: “The original material proposed for the cladding of the new Museum of Liverpool, Travertine limestone, has been proven, after testing, to be unsuitable for the building.

“The open face of the stone has natural fissures which have become pitted with black algae and some of the panels have fractured.

“An alternative limestone, Jura, has been sourced and this is much finer grained with a closed surface which will not attract the same degree of growth and can be surface treated to ensure that it remains pristine and can be protected against graffiti.

“This is now subject to a new planning application. Jura has been used on many major public buildings, including the Royal Danish Opera House in Copenhagen, a building of quality.”