A NEW city blueprint has paved the way for Liverpool’s biggest ever development project – while crucially protecting its World Heritage status.
Peel Holdings wants to build dozens of skyscrapers in the city’s Central Docks area in North Liverpool in a multi-billion pound scheme known as Liverpool Waters.
It had been feared its location in the World Heritage Site buffer zone could prove problematic but city planners have agreed to allow tall buildings in Central Docks.
Last night Peel welcomed the news and said it could be in a position to submit a planning application as early as December.
The principle of allowing skyscrapers in the Central Docks area is set out in the city council’s blueprint aimed at protecting the World Heritage Site.
The report was ordered by Unesco after it raised concerns the historic waterfront was not being properly safeguarded.
After spending six months consulting on the blueprint, the council is now set to approve it, with a number of changes to the original proposal.
It is part of an action plan aimed at involving the wider public in schemes earmarked for sensitive sites around the historic waterfront.
Originally it suggested allowing high-rise buildings in two clusters: the commercial district around Old Hall Street and the “southern gateway” around Parliament Street.
Following consultation the city says high-rise buildings will also be allowed in Central Docks, and mid-rise buildings of between seven and 15 storeys will be allowed in the quayside area north of Salisbury Dock, which also forms part of the Liverpool Waters scheme.
City officials said the new Supplementary Planning Document will:
Protect key views of landmark buildings;
Help conserve historic buildings while positively encouraging new developments;
Encourage the demolition of existing buildings that have a negative impact on the urban environment.
Hundreds of people took part in the consultation that started in March and the council said there was unanimous support for the overriding aim of protecting the World Heritage Site.
There was also a broad consensus that regeneration opportunities should be encouraged.
