The city of Liverpool has lost its World Heritage status, with the development of Everton’s new stadium a partial factor in the decision.
A UNESCO committee has found that developments, including that of Everton‘s stadium, threatened the integrity of the city’s waterfront.
Everton announced that they would take possession of the Bramley-Moore Dock site, which is positioned close to the waterfront, on July 26 to begin the building of their new stadium.
Liverpool City Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the new stadium plans back in February. The Government then reviewed the application and allowed it to proceed the following month.
Everton estimate that the new stadium will deliver a £1.3 billion boost to the economy and create more than 15,000 jobs.
The UNESCO committee said in a statement: “Liverpool’s historic centre and docklands were inscribed for bearing witness to the development of one of the world’s major trading centres in the 18th and 19th century.
“The site also illustrated pioneering developments in modern dock technology, transport systems and port management.
“Any deletion from the World Heritage List is a loss to the international community and to the internationally shared values and commitments under the World Heritage Convention.”
Liverpool was given World Heritage status in 2004.
As reported by Liverpool Echo, the city has been in danger of losing the status for over a decade.
Liverpool mayor Joanne Anderson reacted with anger to the news, stating: “I’m hugely disappointed and concerned by this decision to delete Liverpool’s World Heritage status, which comes a decade after Unesco last visited the city to see it with their own eyes.
“Our World Heritage site has never been in better condition having benefitted from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment across dozens of listed buildings and the public realm.
“We will be working with Government to examine whether we can appeal, but, whatever happens, Liverpool will always be a World Heritage city. We have a stunning waterfront and incredible built heritage that is the envy of other cities.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
