A local think-tank has accused English Heritage (EH) of blocking development in central Liverpool in order to boost the city’s bid to be designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site (WHS).
According to Tony Siebenthaler, director of think-tank Downtown Liverpool, EH is pursuing a policy of blanket opposition. “It seems they oppose almost every proposal for tall buildings and blame context each time.”
The row broke out following EH’s decision to object to a nine-storey housing scheme by local developer Iliad in the Ropewalks area.
EH said the scheme, known as Elysian Fields, would dominate the area, which is predominantly made up of three and four-storey buildings, and endanger the WHS bid.
The scheme would replace what has been described as an “eyesore”, the former Liverpool Community College in Colquitt Street.
EH is also considering objecting to plans for the Fourth Grace building on the city’s waterfront, which has been designed by Will Alsop for Neptune Developments and Countryside.
Malcolm Cooper, North West regional director for EH, said: “We are absolutely not against regenerating the city. We need regeneration to bring the money in to the economy to save the historic environment that is here. We are not opposed to tall buildings elsewhere in the city and have approved tall buildings as such.”
Downtown Liverpool is planning a strong anti-WHS campaign urging the city council to withdraw the application, due to be decided upon this summer.
The bid covers several areas of the city centre, including the Pier Head, Stanley Dock, William Brown Street and Castle Street.
References: EGi News 21/01/04
