LEADING Liverpool architect Dr Rob MacDonald has become the first academic to comment on plans to create a gigantic Liver bird, perched on a man-made island in the River Mersey.

And his advice is that the £250 million bird should take flight.

Dr MacDonald told Liverpool Confidential today: "Apparently, Liverpool has more statues that any city apart from London. Does Liverpool think it's the imperial city of Rome? Has the Liver Bird become an imperial eagle?”

He went on: “The idea is for a big statue of a bird in our beautiful River Mersey. Do we like it? Well not really. Things change as the river flows on.”

However Dr MacDonald didn’t dismiss the idea of a Mersey bird out of hand. Instead he said the Mersey needs to lighten up - literally.

Having discussed it with friend and architect Gary Brown, “We suggest a bridge of laser light of a Liver Bird in flight, linking Liverpool and Birkenhead swooping over the river.

Big Bird in a nestBig Bird in a nest

“Birds in flight, like Canada geese, seagulls and cormorants are beautiful lightweight structures; they are not statues. The spitfire was based on observations of a bird in flight.

“Liverpool needs to lighten up and our Liver Birds need to take flight!”

The Liver Bird proposal, devised by architect David Backhouse, best known for his Cavern Walks design, has already sparked mix feelings.

Some love the idea of the symbol of the city towering above Liverpool skyline, others loathe the idea. So far there has been no official civic reaction to the scheme.

Backhouse, who first conceived the idea some years ago, has teamed up with site engineer Peter Foo and businessman Gary Morris to progress the project.

Big bird in a nestBig bird in a nest

The structure would be the equivalent height of a 23-storey building, with the birds “nest” used as a leisure, hotel and housing hub. 

Using latest technology and solar power, it would be the most environmentally friendly Liver Bird. 

Backhouse, believes his 100m tall scheme, called Homecoming, Statue of Liverpool, would  rival the famous Statue of Liberty off Manhattan, proving backers can be found to fund the ambitious project.

What Unesco’s beleaguered World Heritage Committee would make of it remains to be seen.