Unesco report says Liverpool should lose World Heritage status

Published
image captionLiverpool received World Heritage status in 2004

A Unesco committee has recommended that Liverpool should lose its World Heritage status.

The threat of Liverpool's demotion has rumbled on for more than a decade after modern developments on the city's waterfront.

Liverpool City Council said about £1.5bn had been invested in upgrading 157 heritage assets.

A final decision will be made when Unesco confirms the sites on its World Heritage List at a meeting next month.

The new report by the World Heritage Committee said "with deep regret" new developments in the city had resulted in "serious deterioration and irreversible loss of attributes".

image copyrightEverton FC
image captionAn artist's impression of Everton's new stadium, which is being built at Bramley Moore Dock

A government spokesperson said: "The UK is a world leader in cultural heritage protection and Liverpool's World Heritage Status reflects the important role the city has played in our nation's history.

"We are disappointed in this recommendation and will continue to work with Unesco, Historic England and Liverpool City Council to ensure the World Heritage Committee can make an informed decision when it meets next month."

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson tweeted it would "take time to digest" the report as it was "quite detailed".

But she added she would be asking the committee to defer and review the city's case in a year.

'Pushed it'

Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region mayor, said it was a "deeply disappointing" decision and pleaded with the committee to reconsider it.

He tweeted: "We are proud of our history but our heritage is a vital part of our regeneration.

"I'd urge them to take up our invitation to visit rather than taking their decision sat around a table on the other side of the world."

Heritage campaigner Wayne Colquhoun said city officials had ignored repeated warnings about new developments - and the Everton stadium plans look to have been the final straw.

"If you're going to fill [that] dock in - as a mercantile and maritime city on top of already filling the other docks in - you're displaying that over your universal value.

"They've pushed the boundaries - and pushed it and pushed it."

Liverpool's heritage

image copyrightGetty Images
image captionWorld War One soldiers paraded outside St George's Hall in 1915

Liverpool was given World Heritage status from the international cultural organisation in 2004.

It recognised the city's history as a major trading centre during the British Empire and its architectural landmarks.

Nearly 30 figures from politics, football and academia signed a letter, published in the Times on Saturday, urging Unesco not to strip Liverpool of the status.

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