New laws give waterfront heritage zone extra protection Mar6 2007 Liverpool Daily Post
CULTURE Secretary Tessa Jowell will this week outline plans to make it even harder to get planning permission for projects at world heritage sites, including Liverpool’s waterfront.
The move follows concerns raised by United Nations inspectors that lax planning rules are putting the sites at risk of damaging development.
Last year, architecture experts from Unesco – the body that polices world heritage sites – visited Liverpool to inspect plans for three wedge-shaped apartment blocks near the Three Graces.
Its emergency report squashed rumours that any such development could lead to the city being stripped of its prestigious heritage title.
A similar row has engulfed the Tower of London, where Unesco raised the alarm over huge skyscrapers. Inspectors will rule in June whether the Tower should be put on an “at risk” list.
Now a White Paper, to be unveiled by Ms Jowell on Thursday, will make it easier for schemes to be “called in” to public inquiries, which will have stronger powers to block insensitive development.
But the changes will go much further by stamping out home improvements – such as stone cladding and satellite dishes – which do not currently need planning permission.
The country's 24 world heritage sites will be given "buffer zones" to ensure the same protection as national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
A Department of Culture spokesman said: “Liverpool was given a clean bill of health by inspectors last year, but it would be disastrous in terms of international public relations if any of our sites were put in the endangered category.
“One satellite dish might not make much difference, but 200 would have an awful effect, which is why we need more controls on development.”
However, Liverpool City Council disputed the need for the new laws, pointing out that the area adjacent to the world heritage site already enjoyed protection as a conservation area.
That meant “permitted developments,” such as stone cladding, were already outlawed, although not across the entire "buffer zone", which stretches up to a quarter of a mile.
Mr Hinchliffe, the council's world heritage officer, said: "We don't think allowing stone cladding a quarter of a mile away makes much difference, but we will have to see what the White Paper says.”
Campaigner Wayne Colquhoun, from Liverpool Preservation Trust, said: “We have been pressing for some time for this kind of government intervention. If Tessa Jowell is now saying that even satellite television dishes will not be allowed in buffer zones, how can Liverpool City Council condone huge granite building blocks that will for ever destroy the side view of the Port of Liverpool Building.
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"The same applies to schemes in Princes Dock that will ruin that most evocative view of the Royal Liver Building for ships sailing into port.
“These projects must now be put on hold to await the report of the Unesco meeting in summer and also to enable a proper study of Tessa Jowell’s White Paper proposals.”
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