Battle to save Futurist moves to highest court in land

THE battle to save Liverpool’s Futurist cinema from demolition today moved to the highest court in the land, the Appeal Court.

They are seriously jeopardising the future of a historic Liverpool street that we are trying to save - Developer Neptune

And fighting the corner of the keep-it-up campaign are high profile public figures such as screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, John Belchem, the pro vice chancellor of Liverpool University and Paula Ridley CBE, the former chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Campaign group SAVE has filed an appeal over Liverpool City Council and Neptune Developments’ proposals to demolish more than ten buildings on Lime Street, which is located in the World Heritage Site Buffer Zone.

The latest salvo in the saga comes just days after the builder accused heritage campaigners of wrecking Lime Street's future chances.

Neptune’s Steve Parry said the continuing legal battle was increasing the cost of the project, adding he was concerned the challenge was “more about publicity and arguing a principle rather than the merits of this scheme or the interests of the city and its people”.

Parry commented: “They are seriously jeopardising the future of an historic Liverpool street that we are trying to save.”

The vision for  Lime Street is being jeopardised by meddling campaingers, say developers Neptune

SAVE, however, says the Lime Street buildings due to be cleared to make way for student housing and a shopping mall are too important to let go.

SAVE Director Clem Cecil says: “It is important to remember that despite Lime Street’s present dilapidated appearance, repairing the street could lead to a significant uplift, improving the economy of the area and creating a place where people want to spend time.

“Liverpool's WHS is at risk due to inappropriate development, of which this is a continuation. This is something that DCMS and Secretary of State John Whittingdale should be taking seriously."

SAVE is crowdfunding to help cover the £12,000 legal cost of the appeal with over 60 people already contributing over £2,000. Aside from the more well known figures there have also been donations from the Merseyside Civic Society, the Cinema and Theatres Association and anonymous wellwishers. 

The fundraising is continuing. Donations can be made here 

SAVE is being represented by Susan Ring and Harry Campbell of Richard Buxton Environmental and Public Law and QC Richard Harwood of 39 Essex Chambers.

Why it's not quite all over yet for Lime Street as we know it

 

In its own words, this is the basis of SAVE’s appeal

There is no evidence that Liverpool City Council’s officers considered whether the development may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site (‘WHS’) nor whether they needed to notify the Department for Culture Media and Sport (‘DCMS’) of the proposals.

LCC did not consult with DCMS before the decision was taken, but informed it only afterwards, even though the guidance makes clear that it would be very helpful for DCMS to be consulted at an early stage for the purpose of enabling the World Heritage Committee to be consulted.

The concerns of the World Heritage Committee about development in Liverpool are known, its views on this application are not. It cannot be assumed that the WHC would not be concerned about the Lime Street scheme.

SAVE also considers that the issue of how LCC consults with the UK’s World Heritage Committee and DCMS is crucial in order to protect Liverpool’s World Heritage Site in the future. This also has wider importance for other World Heritage Sites.