The High Court has rejected a bid to overturn the £35m regeneration of Lime Street in Liverpool.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage have lost their legal battle to overturn planning permission for the scheme, which involves a mixed use development and an entertainment and media hub.
The campaign group had argued that Liverpool City Council had failed to notify the Department for Culture Media and Sport and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee about the plans. However, the judge ruled that the council had consulted with Historic England who did not object to the scheme.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: ‘We were confident that we had properly and rigorously considered this application following all of the relevant Government guidance, and it is pleasing that the High Court has come to the same conclusion.
‘Lime Street is a key gateway route in the city centre that is in desperate need of investment and upgrading. The scheme went through a very rigorous evaluation before being approved.’
Judge Patterson said the council had properly considered the impact the scheme would have on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.
SAVE said it was considering taking the matter to the Court of Appeal. Director Clem Cecil said: “SAVE does not agree with the decision and is looking into appealing against it.
'This is Liverpool’s gateway street. It is imperative that proper consultation takes place in order to secure the best possible design solution for the site. In this case it has not taken place.'