Heritage fears over Liverpool Waters scheme

The scheme could create 25,000 jobs

Conservation experts are meeting to discuss the impact of the £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme.

Peel Holdings plans to build a series of high-rise buildings including offices, shops and up to 14,000 apartments on the northern docklands.

English Heritage said the plans could potentially harm the setting of the waterfront's historic buildings.

Its advisory committee is meeting to look at how serious any threat to the World Heritage Site might be.

It said it was working closely with Peel Holdings and Liverpool City Council to "safeguard the heritage" of the area.

Peel Holdings claimed Liverpool Waters was a "heritage-led scheme"

"Liverpool Waters has the potential to improve access to and understanding of the city's World Heritage Site, but it also has the potential to harm the setting of internationally important historic buildings on the waterfront," it said in a statement.

Peel Holdings' central docks plan covers an area of dockland stretching from Bath Street to Blackstone Street.

It has claimed the development will rival New York, Vancouver and Shanghai and create more than 25,000 jobs.

The company said it had a "fantastic relationship with English Heritage and the local planning authority and everyone is working very well together."

It said Liverpool Waters was a heritage-led scheme and any advice offered would be taken into consideration.

Peel Holdings plans to develop both sides of the River Mersey, with a similar regeneration scheme, Wirral Waters in the pipeline to redevelop Birkenhead Docks.