City’s World Heritage status confirmed
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee have confirmed that the outstanding universal value of Liverpool’s World Heritage site is not under threat from recent developments.
The committee, meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, has supported, with minor amendments, recommendations by inspectors from UNESCO and ICOMOS (International Commission on Monuments and Sites) who visited Liverpool in October.
Their visit was prompted after concerns had been raised about a number of new developments on the waterfront.
However, the committee found they do not threaten the value of the site although a number of issues relating to visual impact and management were raised.
The committee has made a number of recommendations including that prescribed heights for buildings should be established but they did not suggest that tall buildings should be prohibited in the site.
They have also asked for a report by 1 February 2008 on progress being made on supplementary planning documents the City Council is developing for the World Heritage site.
An offer to use Liverpool as a case study because it is a classic case of a booming economy impacting on a World Heritage Site was welcomed by the committee.
Cllr Warren Bradley, City Council Leader, said: “We are obviously very pleased that the Committee has confirmed our World Heritage site status, and we were confident that they would do so.
“They have recognised our position as having a world heritage site in a developing city and indicated that we should be used as an example to others in a similar position.
“They note that recent developments have not detracted from the outstanding universal value of our site and it is important to stress that being a World Heritage Site does not prevent high quality developments taking place.
“We will take their recommendations on board and are currently developing planning guidance for the site.”