Liverpool Waters gets green light

The Peel Holdings scheme at the city’s docklands will cost £5.5bn and create thousands of flats—some of them in 55-storey skyscrapers—plus offices, hotels and a cruise terminal. Bars and restaurants are sure to be integral to the development.

The scheme was first ignited in 2012, when Liverpool’s city council hranted planning permission. Protestors had complained that it will radically alter Liverpool’s skyline and affect the World Heritage Site status that parts of the city enjoy, and the plans were then sent to the Department for Communities and Local Government late last year. Communities secretary Eric Pickles has now decided that he will not call in the project and subject it to a public inquiry.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: "This is fantastic news for Liverpool. I'm absolutely delighted that the secretary of state shares the confidence we have in our ability to deliver this vitally important regeneration scheme, while protecting our architectural heritage. Liverpool Waters will create thousands of jobs and opportunities for local people, as well as providing new housing and attracting new businesses and visitors. It's a huge boost for our city and yet more evidence that despite the recession, regeneration is forging ahead here. We can now look forward to the plans moving forward on this once-in-a-lifetime scheme which will bring huge, lasting benefits to future generations in this city.”

For more about Liverpool Waters, click here.