The unanimous backing of Liverpool City Council’s planning committee for Everton’s Bramley More Dock development application has been warmly welcomed by Downtown in Business chief executive Frank McKenna.
The scheme, which will create thousands of jobs and will act as a catalyst for further regeneration of the Liverpool Waters project, has now been sent to government for its approval.
Frank said: “This is a great boost, not just to Everton Football Club, but for the city of Liverpool. Not only will we see the development of an iconic stadium, but the regeneration of north Liverpool – one of the most deprived areas in the Northwest of England.
“The club also deserve great credit for the Goodison legacy initiative, again approved for planning this week, which offers an opportunity for Walton to re-imagine what its future can be.”
Though delighted that the objections of UNESCO and the heritage lobby were ignored this week, the Downtown boss warned that the World Heritage badge and what he describes as “an obsession with the past” could hold Liverpool back in terms of future investment opportunities.
“I have argued for a long time that we should give the WHS badge back. It adds little or no value to our visitor economy and actually acts as a barrier to potential investors who are looking to create jobs and wealth in our city.
“Hopefully, the council’s support for the Bramley Moore Dock project will see UNESCO delete us form the World Heritage site list.”
Downtown in Business will be hosting a special Liverpool Property Club event, in association with Project 4, focussing on the new stadium development on Thursday 4th March.
