Mayor Joanne Anderson says she is “hugely disappointed”
Liverpool City Council has responded to UNESCO’s decision to delete the city from the list of World Heritage Sites. Mayor Joanne Anderson said: “I’m hugely disappointed and concerned by this decision to delete Liverpool’s World Heritage status, which comes a decade after UNESCO last visited the city to see it with their own eyes.”
Today’s decision only makes me and my team more determined to ensure we reach our goals
“Our World Heritage site has never been in better condition having benefited from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment across dozens of listed buildings and the public realm," Mayor Joanne wrote on Liverpool Express, the council's news outlet.
“We will be working with the Government, Historic England and other stakeholders to examine our next steps. We have a stunning waterfront and incredible built heritage that is the envy of other cities.
“Our commitment to maintaining and improving our buildings remains as strong as ever and will continue to be a key part of our drive to attract visitors, along with leisure, retail and events.
“I find it incomprehensible that UNESCO would rather Bramley Moore Dock remain a derelict wasteland, rather than making a positive contribution to the city’s future and that of its residents.
“I’ll now be seeking to draw together all the UK heritage bodies in a round table to plan a positive future with further investment.”
UNESCO’s decision to delete Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City from the World Heritage List was announced today.
UNESCO said it was “due to the irreversible loss of attributes conveying the outstanding universal value of the property.”
“Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012 following concerns about the proposed development of Liverpool Waters," UNESCO wrote in a press release on their website.
"The project has since gone ahead along with other developments both inside the site and in its buffer zone. The Committee considers that these constructions are detrimental to the site’s authenticity and integrity.
“Liverpool’s historic centre and docklands were inscribed for bearing witness to the development of one of the world’s major trading centres in the 18th and 19th centuries. The site also illustrated pioneering developments in modern dock technology, transport systems and port management.
“Any deletion from the World Heritage List is a loss to the international community and to the internationally shared values and commitments under the World Heritage Convention."
After the Elbe Valley in Dresden (Germany) and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman), Liverpool is the third property to lose its World Heritage status.
In a blog post on Liverpool Express, Mayor Joanne said: “Liverpool will continue to welcome millions of visitors and host amazing events in some of the most majestic buildings in Europe.
“Yes, we are a city that has economic problems, but we also have plans to address them and we have the know-how and confidence to deliver. That is the journey Liverpool is on. Today’s decision does not alter the course of that journey. In fact, today’s decision only makes me and my team more determined to ensure we reach our goals.
“I wish UNESCO well. They have made the wrong call and I think it will hurt them, when people realise the errors that led to their conclusion.
“As for Liverpool? We walk on. With our head held high and hope in our hearts. Like we always have. And always will.”
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