Liverpool, one of Britain’s World Heritage Sites, might lose that status over plans to redevelop its historic waterfront, and the Telegraph offers one perspective.
The Telegraph writes:
… The city’s historic centre and docklands became a World Heritage Site in 2004, but were added to the danger list in 2012 due to the proposed construction of Liverpool Waters, a £5.5bn riverside redevelopment overseen by Peel Land and Property Group. It would involve adding residential towers, office blocks and waterfront attractions, as well as a new cruise terminal, to 60 hectares of the city’s northern docklands.
UNESCO said that ‘The development will extend the city centre significantly and alter the skyline and profile of the site. If the project is implemented, Liverpool may entirely lose the outstanding universal value for which it was given World Heritage status.’
So is the loss of World Heritage status a foregone conclusion? Perhaps not. Changes to the original masterplan have been made. A 55-storey tower at Princes Dock, for example, has been downgraded to a row of shorter blocks. Such changes could sway the minds of the judges, who will be discussing the issue during this month’s 10-day conference….
