A controversial plan to build flats, shops, a hotel and a new park on a long empty plot of land has been approved by Liverpool Council.
Great George Street Developments' plans for the former New Chinatown site were given the green light today in a decision that paves the way for a huge new development near Liverpool city centre.
The Great George Street Project, which promises more than 450 apartments, new public spaces and a "linear park" along Great George Street, would sit on a mostly empty strip of land between the Baltic Triangle and Liverpool Cathedral.
But the proposals, which would see buildings as tall as 18 storeys built on the site, were fiercely opposed by church leaders in the city who argue the tallest tower will obscure the view of the cathedral from the waterfront.
Bishop of Warrington Beverley Mason, who spoke against the plans at this morning's planning committee meeting, said the block would have a detrimental effect on the city's skyline.
Bishop Mason said: "The cathedral is part of the fabric of the city's skyline.
"We want this city to flourish and we encourage this endeavour so we only object to the 18 storey structure which will obscure and damage the views of the cathedral from the waterfront.
"Once the skyline is gone it can not be replaced."
Company representatives at the meeting said their plans respected the surrounding buildings and director Neal Hunter said last year that the company's plans, submitted last October, would be sympathetic to the surrounding Baltic Triangle .
Mr Hunter said: “The new open spaces, trees and landscaping will also make the development feel unlike anything else in the city centre.
“Ultimately, we want to create an inclusive neighbourhood which will become a destination for young enterprises and established businesses alike, as well as a home for people of all ages and family circumstances.”
The plot of land at the centre of the proposals has been empty for decades and a number of approved plans there have ended up not being completed.
Most recently, the New Chinatown development was a 2015 proposal from developer North Point Global who wanted to transform the land there into new homes.
However the plans failed to materialise and after the collapse of a contractor and legal proceedings against NPG's sister company, the site was sold in 2018 and the Serious Fraud Office opened an investigation into the site this year which is ongoing.
The site had also been at the centre of a legal dispute between the former owners and the council , with the council still owed almost £1m that was carried over when the site was bought.
A Liverpool Council spokesman said such issues were not material matters in giving planning approval.
He said: “In fact anyone can seek planning permission on land they don’t own, as in this instance, provided the required certificates are served upon the owner by the applicant.
“Government advice is clear in that, once a planning application has been validated, the local planning authority should make a decision on the proposal as quickly as possible, within the statutory time limit. “In the case this application, the Applicant satisfactorily addressed all material planning matters. This allowed for a recommendation to be made to the planning committee for the determination of the application at the meeting on 10 December 2019.”
