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BUSINESS leaders in Liverpool have called upon the city’s council to renegotiate the terms of the World Heritage Status granted to its iconic waterfront.
Inspectors from Unesco today warned the council to approach proposed developments on the site with caution, despite declaring that the value of the waterfront was not under threat.
Their verdict caused plans for a new iconic museum near the city’s Three Graces to be withdrawn, and further delayed a prestigious scheme once deemed central to the city’s celebrations in 2007 and 2008.
“While we are obviously glad that Unesco fell short of blocking the latest developments for the waterfront, their influence on the city’s planners remains too great,” said Frank McKenna, chairman of private sector champion, Downtown Liverpool in Business.
“Their call for caution has caused plans for the proposed Museum of Liverpool to be, at the least, delayed – making it almost impossible to envisage the building being complete in time for the city’s year as Capital of Culture in 2008.”
Plans to develop land on Mann Island – adjacent to the most recognisable stretch of Liverpool’s famous waterfront – had once been seen as an important part of the city’s celebrations in 2007 – it’s 800th birthday – and 2008, when it will be European Capital of Culture.
Instead, business leaders fear the land now appears destined to become a building site for much of that period.
As a result, the private sector now wants to see Unesco’s influence curbed – even if it meant relinquishing World Heritage Status altogether.
“At a time when the city seems to have – finally – realised that the city’s regeneration is being stunted by the 80 or more quangos operating in the area, here we are bowing to yet another unelected body,” Mr McKenna added.
“Nobody doubts the importance of the waterfront in attracting visitors and investors, but the influence currently given to Unesco - and the heritage lobby in general - is frightening.
“Put simply, that must change if World Heritage Status is genuinely to benefit the city’s long term future, and not become yet another constraint on its growth.”
Businesses have long opposed the detailed workings of the World Heritage site, questioning whether the benefits of holding the badge outweigh the limitations placed on regenerating parts of the city far beyond the waterfront.
Last year, a survey of business leaders in the city found that six in ten wanted Liverpool to relinquish World Heritage Status altogether.
Notes to editors
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Frank McKenna, please call Chris Marritt at Mason Media on 0151 707 4514 or 07908 214950
