The £35 million regeneration of Lime Street has been given the green light after the High Court dismissed a bid by SAVE Britain’s Heritage to overturn planning permission.

The mixed use redevelopment will include commercial, retail and leisure features alongside hotel and student accommodation.

Under the plans, the former ABC cinema will be restored and become home to a new entertainment and media hub.

SAVE Britain’s Heritage had called for a judicial review into the plans on the grounds that they city council had been in breach of planning guidelines by failing to notify the DCMS ( Department for Culture Media and Sport ) and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

However, in a judgement handed down on Friday 15 January by The Honourable Mrs Justice Patterson DBE, the claim was rejected on the grounds that Historic England had been consulted and chose not to raise any objections.

Judge Patterson remarked that the local authority had properly considered whether the scheme would have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool says: “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.

“We want to get on with allowing the developers to invest in their vision and bring Lime Street up to a much higher standard than it has been for decades and one that is fitting for a major entry point into the city centre.

“This legal move, which I believe was based on spurious grounds, was an attempt by outside interest groups to delay much-needed regeneration, and fortunately the High Court has seen right through it.

“I look forward to us now being able to crack on with the much needed transformation of this area of the city centre which will no doubt act as a catalyst for further investment and development in the area.”

Mayor Anderson added: “Considerable efforts were made to save the Futurist including commissioning two surveyors’ reports both of which concluded that its condition was so poor that there was simply no way it could be salvaged.

“Our commitment to heritage has seen the number of buildings on the at risk register at a 24 year low and some, including the Royal Insurance Building and Stanley Dock, brought back into viable use due to our intervention. Sadly in this case independent experts have told us that the Futurist simply can’t be saved.”

Steve Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, says: “We are pleased that the High Court has ratified the local planning decision and found that it was made in an entirely appropriate and thorough way.

“Lime Street urgently needs this project to happen. There has already been a cost associated with a delay that has impacted on the project’s financial viability. On a positive note we have exchanged with a major fund before Christmas and can now hopefully get on with early demolition and delivery of a new vision for Lime Street.”

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