This consultation has now closed. Please visit www.liverpool.gov.uk for further information.  

In 2004 Liverpool was designated a World Heritage Site (WHS) by United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO). 

The city was awarded this accolade for its rich historical architecture, and the significance and value of this to the local and international community.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committe commented on its visit to Liverpool in 2004, that many areas of the city were: "the supreme example of a commercial port at the time of Britain's greatest global influence".

The committee considers that Liverpool Maritime Merchantile City - World Heritage Site has an outstanding universal value because:

• Liverpool played a leading role in the development of dock construction, port management and international trading systems in the 18th and 19th centuries
• The buildingsand structures of hte port and the city are an exceptional testimony to merchantile culture
• Liverpool played a major role in influencing globally significant changes in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The WHS embodies the civic, merchantile and maritime history of Liverpool and the historic core of the city centre. The six character areas include: Pier Head; Albert and Wopping Docks; Stanley Dock; Castle Street/Dale Street/Old Hall Street; William Brown Street and Lower Duke Street/Ropewalks.

The inscription of the WHS should not prevent the city of Liverpool from developing, but it will ensure that the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment is fully considered in all future decision making affecting the sites.

Liverpool City Council has approved the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for 'Liverpool - Maritime Merchantile City World Heritage Site' for interim development control and for public consultation. 

The draft SPD has been produced to provide detailed guidance for new development, regeneration and conservation in the 'Liverpool - Maritime Merchantile City World Heritage Site' and its Buffer Zone. The SPD will deal with the management of the site; act as a guide to future development in and around the site, and embody the principles in the existing WHS Management Plan.

Getting involved

Liverpool City Council would like views on whether it has got the contents of the SPD right and welcomes any comments, especially in response to the questions contained within the questionnaire available below.

To read the SPD summary, click the link below to download the full document.

• WHS SPD summary consultation draft (PDF 2.4mb)

You can make comments about the SPD using either an online questionnaire or by downloading an electronic questionnaire and posting it to the address below.

• Online questionnaire (hosted on an external website)
• WHS SPD electronic questionnaire (MS Word 162kb)

Once completed, post the completed questionnaire to: John Hinchliffe, World Heritage Site Officer, Liverpool City Council, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH.

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