Pier Head Area

[Howie]

Waterfront canal threat
Oct 11 2006
Revised plans for the Pier Head have been rejected. Sam Lister reports
Daily Post



THE future of Liverpool's multi-million pound waterfront canal was in doubt last night after a bid to re-route it was rejected by city planners.

British Waterways already had permission to build the Leeds-Liverpool extension and work was due to start this summer.

But it wanted to change the scheme by filling in West Waterloo dock with the rubble excavated from the Pier Head, which residents fear would create potential new building sites.

Last night, British Waterways would not guarantee the future of the scheme but insisted it was confident it would still go ahead. The organisation could also appeal the planning decision, which would mean the link almost certainly would not be ready by 2008.

Martin Clarke, regeneration manager for the organisation, said: "We will have to review this decision and discuss our options with the landowners, Peel Holdings.

"Until then, we cannot be certain what will happen next.

"In planning terms, we don't believe there were grounds for a refusal.

"It is too early to say what we will do next but I would not rule anything out.

"We believe this is a better scheme. It brings people closer to the water and it's a catalyst for regeneration.

"I'm confident it will still go ahead."

British Waterways wanted to shift the route several metres inland at Trafalgar dock, allowing more attractive landscaping.

The city council received more than 50 objections from local residents and businesses who complained it would destroy a vital piece of the city's heritage.

They claim they are already suffering health problems because of the amount of dust created by work already going on in the area and fear the problems would become even worse.

Tony O'Leary, chairman of the residents association, said: "We are not Luddites. We endorsed the canal coming through this area and that planning application is still on the table.

"We are a World Heritage site because of our docks. The West Waterloo Dock is as significant as the Albert Dock. "Instead of filling in docks to create more Legoland apartments, they should think about how they could use the history of the place."

Resident Paul Burnell said: "The historical significance of the West Waterloo Dock is the same as the entire dock estate.

"It is the largest remaining dock estate in the world and filling it in is ludicrous."

Planning officers recommended the application be refused because of the historical significance of the area.

John Hayes, planning officer for the council, said: "The main issue is the historic significance of the area. It is adjacent to the Stanley Dock conservation area and the World Heritage buffer zone.

"To move a body of water would not be acceptable. We do consider there is a significant impact on the World Heritage site."

samlister@dailypost.co.uk

Source: icLiverpool

[Waterways]

Waterfront canal threat
Oct 11 2006
Revised plans for the Pier Head have been rejected. Sam Lister reports
Daily Post



THE future of Liverpool's multi-million pound waterfront canal was in doubt last night after a bid to re-route it was rejected by city planners.

British Waterways already had permission to build the Leeds-Liverpool extension and work was due to start this summer.

But it wanted to change the scheme by filling in West Waterloo dock with the rubble excavated from the Pier Head, which residents fear would create potential new building sites.

Last night, British Waterways would not guarantee the future of the scheme but insisted it was confident it would still go ahead. The organisation could also appeal the planning decision, which would mean the link almost certainly would not be ready by 2008.

Martin Clarke, regeneration manager for the organisation, said: "We will have to review this decision and discuss our options with the landowners, Peel Holdings.

"Until then, we cannot be certain what will happen next.

"In planning terms, we don't believe there were grounds for a refusal.

"It is too early to say what we will do next but I would not rule anything out.

"We believe this is a better scheme. It brings people closer to the water and it's a catalyst for regeneration.

"I'm confident it will still go ahead."

British Waterways wanted to shift the route several metres inland at Trafalgar dock, allowing more attractive landscaping.

The city council received more than 50 objections from local residents and businesses who complained it would destroy a vital piece of the city's heritage.

They claim they are already suffering health problems because of the amount of dust created by work already going on in the area and fear the problems would become even worse.

Tony O'Leary, chairman of the residents association, said: "We are not Luddites. We endorsed the canal coming through this area and that planning application is still on the table.

"We are a World Heritage site because of our docks. The West Waterloo Dock is as significant as the Albert Dock. "Instead of filling in docks to create more Legoland apartments, they should think about how they could use the history of the place."

Resident Paul Burnell said: "The historical significance of the West Waterloo Dock is the same as the entire dock estate.

"It is the largest remaining dock estate in the world and filling it in is ludicrous."

Planning officers recommended the application be refused because of the historical significance of the area.

John Hayes, planning officer for the council, said: "The main issue is the historic significance of the area. It is adjacent to the Stanley Dock conservation area and the World Heritage buffer zone.

"To move a body of water would not be acceptable. We do consider there is a significant impact on the World Heritage site."

samlister@dailypost.co.uk

Source: icLiverpool

West Waterloo Dock is in the WHS buffer zone, not adjacent. Being in the buffer carries obligations.

1. The Canal proposal was initially funded and designed on the basis of West Waterloo Dock being left as it is.

2. British Waterways where asked by a 3rd party to fill the dock in. One guess at who the that third party was - hint British Waterways have already mentioned their name above.

The not filling in of this dock as in 1 above should make it easy for British Waterways to complete this scheme, as it is already designed and costed.

If Peel Holdings, who clearly pull the strings of British Waterways and MDHC, don't want to build this canal, then they don't have to. There will not be many weeping about it not being built.

The excaveted earth from the canal runing at the Pier Head will nowhere near fill the West Waterloo Dock. They will charge others for filling as well. and make £4 milion on value of the generated land (the docks were never land, as they were built into the river)

Peel can then excavate the infilled docks back to deep water ship draught levels. Peel are clearly violating UNESCO agreements by destroying the vital marine life in Princes and Princes Half-Tide Docks, which are in the WHS zone. The city is also at fault for allowing this to happen. I hope Dr Rossler of UNESCO roasts the city and Peel (MDHC) on the forthcoming visit.

The city should be pushing for excavation of the whole of Trafalgar Dock as a minimum. Any proposals to reduce the deep water capability of the docks waterways should be rejected out of hand, and existing reduced depths of docks deepened. Peel/British Waterways can build canals elswhere, clearly not understanding the historical importance of the docks, only understanding canals - and making fast bucks.

[snappel]

"We are a World Heritage site because of our docks. The West Waterloo Dock is as significant as the Albert Dock. "Instead of filling in docks to create more Legoland apartments, they should think about how they could use the history of the place."

I quite agree...

[jomiketo]

Hi everyone, Im an Architecture student in my final year and looking at using the Museum of Liverpool as a basis for my thesis. Would anyone know how or where I could get a copy of the either the actual competition brief and/or the updated brief since 3XN were appointed. Also if anyone could point me in the direction of any digital plans/maps of the pier head site I would be very grateful.

I have been reading this forum for some time now and find it very interesting to hear the views of everyone. If I undertake this project for my thesis this forum will be very useful. Thank you.

[Kev Keegan]

Would anyone know how or where I could get a copy of the either the actual competition brief and/or the updated brief since 3XN were

appointed. Also if anyone could point me in the direction of any digital plans/maps of the pier head site I would be very grateful.

I have been reading

this forum for some time now and find it very interesting to hear the views of everyone. If I undertake this project for my thesis this forum will be very

useful. Thank you.

Hi mate, sorry I don't have any info. Thanks for your support.

[A.D.Williams]

Friday 27th October 2006.

[A.D.Williams]

Friday 27th October

2006.

[A.D.Williams]

Friday 27th October

2006.

[A.D.Williams]

Friday 27th October 2006 - last

picture.

[Paul D]

Is that the new canal link then?

[A.D.Williams]

Is that the new canal link then?

I would say it was, Paul.

[Max]

Nice.

[Kev Keegan]

Fantastic pics Dave, thankyou thankyou . What are the tunnels either side on the walls?

[Kev Keegan]

Yoko is guest of honour at launch of £65m museum

Nov 15 2006

Liverpool Daily Post

YOKO ONO was guest of honour last night at a glittering black-tie event held to mark the official launch of the proposed new museum for Liverpool's waterfront.

Leading members of Merseyside's business and cultural community were at Liverpool Town Hall for a briefing about the £65m project.

They included TV star and culture supporter Loyd Grossman, Mersey TV founder Phil Redmond, and actors Cathy Tyson and Rita Tushingham.

The Museum of Liverpool will reflect the city's global significance through its unique geography, history and culture. source....

[Kev Keegan]

Museum to tell of city's dark side

Nov 15 2006

By Joe Riley Arts Editor, Liverpool Echo

An artist's impression of how the new Museum of Liverpool would look from the Pier Head

THE new £65m waterfront museum of Liverpool will be the biography of the city.

Dr David Fleming, director of National Museums Liverpool, told a launch reception for the project that it would also reveal a "darker side".

Among the issues covered will be the James Bulger and Anthony Walker murders and Hillsborough disaster.

He told the town hall dinner attended by Yoko Ono: "This will be the most radical and imaginative city museum in the world."Liverpool is already one of the most extraordinary cities in its subject matter and it is fitting that this museum is being created here.

"It is the legacy we will be bequeathing to future generations. Together we can make history."

Dr Fleming said the building would be "a great physical legacy of 2008" on a par with past achievements such as St George's hall and Liverpool cathedral.

The "warts and all" museum would reflect the port and people.

Dr Fleming, who said city museum and gallery attendances were growing faster than anywhere in the country, added: "The city needs a far larger museum to do it justice."Among promises was the display showing "the Beatles could only have come from Liverpool."

Yoko Ono nodded her approval as she sat among cultural and business leaders.

She told the ECHO: "I want to help spread the word. I am very keen to find out more."

National Museums Liverpool chairman TV presenter Loyd Grossman said: "This building will be the best of its type as the world's leading city heritage museum.

"It is unique and the most exciting museum project in Europe. It will be the most significant permanent benefit of Capital of Culture."

Also announced was a £1m donation to the museum from the Garfeld Weston Foundation, the largest gift NML has ever received from a trust or foundation. source....