LIVERPOOL Council leader Joe Anderson launched a stinging attack on English Heritage – accusing the historic buildings watchdog of blocking investment in the city.

He said the council was no longer prepared to concede ground to the government-funded commission.

Cllr Anderson spoke out after English Heritage forced major changes to Peel Holdings’ £5.5bn Liverpool Waters proposal.

He told the Daily Post: “We have got to be forward thinking. English Heritage is too restrictive over development in Liverpool without a shadow of a doubt and that frustrates me.

“We have a responsibility to young people. I want to make sure they have prospects and job opportunities for their families.

“We have to recognise we can restrict investment by being too prescriptive. They have hampered investment already in terms of tall buildings.”

Peel’s Liverpool Waters planning application for the city’s north docks was delayed and significantly altered following objections from English Heritage and discussions with council planners.

The scheme was finally submitted this month with fewer high buildings and the landmark Shanghai Tower moved back from the waterfront and reduced in height. Officers are supporting the scheme, which has yet to go to the planning committee.

Cllr Anderson added: “We cannot concede any more ground to English Heritage. We respect its views, but we are not going to let it in any way restrict investment in our future.”

He compared the city’s World Heritage site with The Bund, in Shanghai, which has the same heritage status.

The Labour leader said Chinese authorities allowed modern development near The Bund and across the river which “fitted comfortably” with the heritage site.

He added: “Sometimes the old and new can go together hand in hand.”