A MASSIVE majority of Merseysiders back the £5.5bn Liverpool Waters proposals.

Developer Peel Holdings held a two-day public consultation in Whitechapel at the weekend which attracted hundreds of interested visitors who viewed the latest draft model and images of the scheme which could rival world-famous waterfronts such as Dubai and Vancouver.

And initial findings verified huge support, with 99% of 284 questionnaires filled in by visitors backing the project to regenerate north Liverpool’s derelict docks over the next 30 to 50 years.

A Peel spokeswoman said: “This is an overwhelming result which we are very pleased with.

“We are also extremely pleased with the way members of the public interacted with us, raising some very valid questions in terms of open space, transport, community facilities and the number and height of buildings.

“As we process the questionnaires, these and all the comments received will be taken on board and we will seek to make amendments to the scheme as appropriate.”

She added: “The number one question was actually ‘when can you start?’ followed in second place by ‘I hope I’ll still be here to see it’.”

Peel is still working on submitting its outline planning application for the scheme, but development director Lindsey Ashworth said they hoped to begin preparatory work on the site by the middle of the year when they propose to repair the Bascule Bridge over the Leeds- Liverpool canal link – which was earmarked for demolition – and re-open Regent Road, which has been closed for almost two years. He said: “A series of works are also proposed to seek to repair a number of historic buildings and structures on the site, particularly towards the north of the site.