Government approves Liverpool Waters

PEEL Group’s Liverpool Waters development will not be called in by the coalition Government.

It means Peel can now press ahead with the £5.5bn regeneration of 60 hectares of docklands.

The company has previously threatened to walk away if it was called in, which appeared likely after planning changes failed to appease English Heritage.

In June last year UNESCO put the city on its list of world heritage sites in danger because of the proposals.

Peel development director Lindsey Ashworth said: “A big thanks goes to the people of Liverpool who have been behind us all the way. English Heritage together with the World Heritage Body UNESCO put up massive obstacles to prevent this development proposal getting permission.

“Their studies and arguments have all collapsed and rightly so as it’s simply not right to expect derelict parts of cities with such a rich history to stand still and be fossilised. This consent will open up opportunities and new prospects to link our UK businesses with other international businesses such as Asia.

“All cities in the UK have to compete with each other and each has to compete with rival European Cities. Liverpool is now well placed to be alongside the best of the best. For central docks securing this planning permission is the end of the beginning and the start of another exciting phase of its life that will add to the beauty of Liverpool’s Waterfront and the economic strength of the Liverpool region. Peel is proud to be in partnership with Liverpool – it’s a great and exciting future for both.”

Paul Grover, regional director for planning at WYG which has advised on the scheme since 2008, said: “The scheme has set new precedents in terms of scale of a single planning application and it is testament to our negotiating strengths, patience and sheer determination that the decision to approve the scheme by Liverpool City Council has not been called in by the Secretary of State.”