Following a stand-off with UNESCO over the threat to its World Heritage Status, the city council is looking to ensure future schemes do not negatively impact on the waterfront with a consortium led by by Urban Initiatives Studio (UIS).
image: Dave Chetwin
Liverpool Business News writes:
A team of planning experts is to formulate a new ‘tall buildings policy’ for Liverpool following the city council’s stand-off with UNESCO over the threat to the city’s World Heritage Status (WHS).
UNESCO, which oversees famous WHS locations across the globe, had warned that proposed high-rise developments, in particular the £5bn Liverpool Water project, threatened the aesthetic of Liverpool’s world famous waterfront.
… early in 2018 the council adopted a more conciliatory approach. Property giant Peel, the developer behind Liverpool Waters, has also revised its plans by cutting the height of the proposed buildings. Liverpool Waters is not within the WHS zone but is seen as close enough to have a significant impact.
… Now, after an extensive tendering exercise, the city council has appointed a world-leading design consortium, led by by Urban Initiatives Studio (UIS) and supported by heritage specialists from Chris Blandford Associates…
… The council is seeking to adopt the policy as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) by the end of 2019, following a public consultation exercise. Once adopted it will be used to guide three key issues:
- The height of tall buildings – the policy will assess appropriate height in relation to existing buildings and the environment.
- The location of tall buildings – the policy will identify appropriate locations and the potential for ‘tall building clusters’ in the city centre.
- The design of tall buildings – the policy will encourage best practice in building design.
UIS will undertake initial research before a draft policy is discussed with key stakeholders including Historic England… Once adopted, the SPD would then sit alongside other key planning policies for the city such as the Local Plan and World Heritage Site Management Plan…
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: ‘Liverpool is undergoing a huge transformation and a new tall buildings policy is going to be crucial not only in helping to shape the city’s landscape but also to set the highest expectations for architectural design…’
Liverpool hires planning experts to write new ‘tall buildings policy’
