THE Government’s key adviser on building design has condemned plans for Britain's tallest residential skyscraper near Liverpool’s waterfront.

A letter to the city council from architecture commission Cabe, obtained by the Daily Post, reveals the body’s criticism of proposals for the 54-storey King Edward Tower near Princes Dock, which could receive planning permission this month.

The letter condemns the “confused architectural expression” and “low ambitions for sustainability” it says the plans show, and concludes it does not support the proposal.

But the architects behind the development, LRW, have hit back, claiming Cabe has only taken a “snap shot view” of the scheme, which does not truly reflect its merits.

They added the final proposals were the result of a detailed consultation process with many official bodies within the city.

The letter from Cabe, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, says: “We agree with the principle of locating a tall building on this site, however our previous advice raised concerns regarding the precise height, form and architectural references of the pre application scheme.

“It is disappointing that the formal proposals have failed to respond to any of our previous comments.

“The amended scheme fails in our eyes to address the core failings of the original design, namely the unsatisfactory plan form, the unsuccessful relationship between the lower block and the tower, the confused architectural expression, the low ambitions for sustainability and the low quality public realm.

“The proposal does not meet Cabe and English Heritage’s guidance on tall buildings and should be refused planning permission.”

It adds there is a “relatively small amount of public space”, and describes the plan to build a tower and podium as an “uncomfortable amalgam”.

It also questions the structure’s place within the cityscape and concludes: “In summary, we do not support the proposal.

“It is disappointing that the pre- application consultation has not resulted in alterations that could have led to a contribution to the Liverpool skyline that responds more fully to the historic development and urban grain of the city.”

The £130m scheme by Y1 Developers and Richmont Properties on the King Edward pub site will comprise 412 apartments, 25,000 sq ft of commercial office space and a combination of 7,500 sq ft retail and leisure space, if given the go ahead.

A spokesman for LRW Architects said yesterday defended the development: “We are concerned that the Cabe response is effectively a snapshot view of the submitted designs given the limited time they have had to review these proposals and the limited time given to the associated presentation of said information.

“The project has been in detail design/development discussions for over two years with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, English Heritage and more recently LUDCAP. It is as a result of this detailed consultation process that the current designs were submitted for full planning consideration.

“LRW Architects feel that the current submitted design proposals, if approved by the council’s planning committee, will not only enhance this site’s immediate location and the wider setting, but will also act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration aspirations of the city of Liverpool.”

On the issue of sustainability the spokesman said minimum building regulations requirements will be exceeded and added the overall resulting sustainability could still be discussed with the council. The apartments on the 54th floor of the development would become the highest living spaces in the UK.