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The power of the Heritage lobby in Liverpool is costing the city vital investment and jobs.
That was the warning from business group, Downtown Liverpool In Business (DLIB), ahead of yet another vital planning decision on the regeneration of Liverpool city centre.
It is understood the Central Village Scheme on land behind Central Station is to face refusal when it comes before the council next week (February 7).
If it does, it will mark yet another victory for the powerful heritage lobby in Liverpool.
DLIB Chairman, Frank McKenna, said: “The Central Village scheme would transform what is currently derelict land into a quality shopping, residential and shopping development with 350 car parking places.
“Yet it is facing refusal because of the heritage lobby, despite receiving widespread support locally.
“Liverpool Vision, urban design advisors LUDCAP, English Partnerships and the general public have all expressed strong support for the scheme.
“Even the council's planning department itself was a lead supporter of the scheme until English Heritage intervened.
“Now, with this decision expected to go against Central Village, the unelected and unaccountable heritage lobby will once again have stood in the way of progress and regeneration in this city.”
Mr McKenna said this latest decision, coming so soon after the election of a new council leader, was the perfect opportunity to introduce more common sense and consistency back into the planning process.
He added: “If it doesn’t, Liverpool is in danger of scaring off other major developers and investors.
“At the moment, the greatest legacy of the current mood of optimism in Liverpool will be the size of the 'what could have been' file it leaves behind.
“If we are going to avoid that, and encourage investors rather than point them towards our major rivals, English Heritage must be a consultee, and not a veto-carrier on all planning matters."
Note to editors
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Frank McKenna, call Chris Marritt at Mason Media on 0151 707 4514 or 07908 214950.
