Liverpool Council planners warn World Heritage Site status may be lost after backing Liverpool Waters scheme (VIDEO)

Feb 29 2012 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Echo

The government’s official heritage watchdog English Heritage has also objected.

Liverpool Waters promises to create 20,000 jobs. It features 9,000 apartments, hundreds of offices, hotels, bars and a cruise terminal, as well as the 55-storey Shanghai Tower.

A 513-page report written ahead of next week’s meeting sets out the view of council planning manager Mark Loughran, who believes the inspection report had “significant weakness” and believes the heritage benefits outweigh the negatives.

But he warned the committee must fully understand the implications.

Mr Loughran believes Unesco will first place Liverpool on the “World Heritage In Danger” list and then remove it from the main World Heritage list “if/when the ‘damaging’ components of the proposal are commenced”.

His report stated: “The Liverpool Waters proposals are clearly unique and have the potential to change the future of the city.

“The development proposed is on an unprecedented scale almost beyond living experience which, if delivered, would transform the city’s waterfront, creating a new international business destination, expand the city’s economy and regenerate north Liverpool.”

If approved, as widely expected, the application will be referred to communities secretary Eric Pickles MP to see if he wants a public inquiry.

It may also have to be referred to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Loughran also said a public inquiry is “probable”.

Peel Holdings have warned they will walk away if a public inquiry is called and concentrate exclusively on Wirral Waters – a similar project in Birkenhead which already has planning permission.