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State of Conservation Liverpool – Maritime ... 2015

Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Factors affecting the property in 2015*
  • Commercial development
  • Housing
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities
  • Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Lack of overall management of new developments
  • Lack of analysis and description of the townscape characteristics relevant to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and important views related to the property and its buffer zone
  • Lack of clearly established maximum heights for new developments, for the backdrops of the World Heritage areas as well as along the waterfront
  • Lack of awareness of developers, building professionals and the wider public about the World Heritage property, its Outstanding Universal Value and requirements under the World Heritage Convention
  • Commercial development
  • Housing
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities
  • Management systems / management plan
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

The proposed development of "Liverpool Waters" 

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

In progress 

Corrective Measures for the property

In progress

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
In progress
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2015
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2015**

October 2006: joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission; November 2011: joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission; February 2015: joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Advisory mission 

2015 Report of the Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Mission to Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (UK), 24-25 ...
2011 Report on the Joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City, 14-16 ...
2006 Report of the Joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United ...
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2015

On 26 January 2015, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1150/documents/. The report addressed issues raised by the World Heritage Committee in relation to the Liverpool Waters development project and informed that all the authorities involved and the developer of the project have put in place measures to address the concerns raised by the Committee.

The revision of the Management Plan, which is currently underway, is seen by the State Party as an opportunity to refresh the vision for the property as a whole.

The report summarized the progress made in improving the state of conservation of the property through the repair and re-use of a number of outstanding historic buildings, previously at risk. The ongoing revision of the Local Plan to update the necessary policies for the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and the effort in promoting wider understanding of the World Heritage property are also mentioned.

In addition, at the invitation of the State Party, a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission took place on 24-25 February 2015. The purpose of the mission was to undertake consultations with the State Party to see whether a final Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and corrective measures could be agreed. The mission background was the first draft of the DSOCR prepared by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS and transmitted to the State Party on 29 April 2013, and a second draft prepared by the State Party on 15 April 2014 in coordination with and agreed by the property’s key stakeholders. ICOMOS considered this second DSOCR to be a ‘statement of process’, inconclusive as to the removal of threats to the property. The Advisory mission report is also available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1150/documents.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2015

The Advisory mission confirmed that the serious concern of the World Heritage Committee over the potential threat of the Liverpool Waters development scheme on the OUV is recognized by all the authorities and stakeholders.  The mission considered that, while there had been a number of significant achievements in protecting the OUV of the property through adaptive reuse, cthe City Council is yet to complete the comprehensive measures to eliminate the threats to the OUV; in particular, the issue of the mid- and high-rise buildings of the Liverpool Waters development project has yet to be resolved. At the current stage of the planning process, this can only be resolved with the pro-active negotiations of the three principal stakeholders (Liverpool City Council, the developer and English Heritage).

As Liverpool Waters is a 30-year long-term development project, it is likely to become an evolving concept in response to changing contexts. Nonetheless, the mission noted that the design drawings are currently being understood as plans for implementation. Concerning the Liverpool Waters development area (located partly within the property and partly in the buffer zone),  the authorities reported that to date, no construction has  started on site. No detailed planning consent will be submitted in 2015 for the Central Docks and no building activity should be initiated before 2016.

After noting that there is a gap between the obligations of the State Party in safeguarding the OUV and the Liverpool City Council in addressing appropriate planning mechanisms, the mission recommended that, based on the fact that no detailed planning proposal will be submitted in 2015 for the Central Docks, the State Party should provide the World Heritage Centre with an amended DSOCR by 1 December 2015.

The amended DSOCR should be based on the World Heritage Centre’s and Advisory Bodies’ note from April 2013 and on the State Party’s reply of April 2014, and should clearly indicate:

  • Effective legal measures or public/private commitments to address the threats to the authenticity and integrity of the property and to ensure the conservation and protection of its OUV;
  • Design drawings for the Liverpool Waters planning project redrawn as a three-dimensional programmatic envelope indicating minimum and maximum heights, and measures to reduce the urban density and the height of the buildings from the maximums granted for the Liverpool Waters project;
  • In the context of the Neighbourhood Master plans, a review of the mid-rise developments as well as the high rise in Central Docks to reduce heights and densities;
  • The timeframe to implement those measures and other conservation actions, identifying key indicators to control the progress in the proper actions;
  • Proper initiatives to increase awareness.

The DSOCR should, moreover, provide comprehensive documentation concerning the management system to be put in place to integrate the public-private investment into a realistic planning process.

It is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2015
39 COM 7A.43
Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (C 1150)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.19, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Notes that a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission to the property took place in February 2015 at the invitation of the State Party, and that it confirmed that all stakeholders recognize the serious concerns of the World Heritage Committee over the potential threat of the Liverpool Waters development scheme to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
  4. Endorses the conclusions of this 2015 Advisory mission, in particular the need to reduce the urban density and height of the proposed development from the maximums granted for the Liverpool Waters project;
  5. Urges the State Party to implement the mission’s recommendations for the revision of the draft Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies. In order to do so, invites the State Party to request technical assistance and guidance and jointly organize with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies a series of technical workshops;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2016, an amended DSOCR, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, it being understood that no new detailed plans affecting the property will be approved before that date;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;
  8. Decides to retain Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
39 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of the World Heritage in Danger

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-15/39.COM/7A and WHC-15/39.COM/7A.Add),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 39 COM 7A.38)
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 39 COM 7A.39)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 39 COM 7A.18)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosi (Decision 39 COM 7A.44)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.1)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 39 COM 7A.45)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.2)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.3)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.4)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.5)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.8)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 39 COM 7A.24)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.10)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 39 COM 7A.40)
  • Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 39 COM 7A.41)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.20)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 39 COM 7A.15)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 39 COM 7A.25)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 39 COM 7A.26)
  • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 39 COM 7A.27)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 39 COM 7A.11)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 39 COM 7A.21)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 39 COM 7A.22)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 39 COM 7A.12)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 39 COM 7A.28)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 39 COM 7A.29)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 39 COM 7A.46)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 39 COM 7A.47)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.13)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 39 COM 7A.42)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 39 COM 7A.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 39 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 39 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 39 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 39 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 39 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 39 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 39 COM 7A.23)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 39 COM 7A.43)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.14)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.17)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 39 COM 7A.48)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 39 COM 7A.37)
Read more
Draft Decision: 39 COM 7A.43

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.19, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Notes that a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission to the property took place in February 2015 at the invitation of the State Party, and that it confirmed that all stakeholders recognize the serious concerns of the World Heritage Committee over the potential threat of the Liverpool Waters development scheme to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
  4. Endorses the conclusions of this 2015 Advisory mission, in particular the need to reduce the urban density and height of the proposed development from the maximums granted for the Liverpool Waters project;
  5. Urges the State Party to implement the mission’s recommendations for the revision of the draft Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) as a matter of priority;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, an amended DSOCR, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;
  8. Decides to retain Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

REVISED DECISION SUBMITTED ON 28/06/2015 BY THE WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

Draft Decision: 39 COM 7A.43 Rev

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.19, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Notes that a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission to the property took place in February 2015 at the invitation of the State Party, and that it confirmed that all stakeholders recognize the serious concerns of the World Heritage Committee over the potential threat of the Liverpool Waters development scheme to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
  4. Endorses the conclusions of this 2015 Advisory mission, in particular the need to reduce the urban density and height of the proposed development from the maximums granted for the Liverpool Waters project;
  5. Urges the State Party to implement the mission’s recommendations for the revision of the draft Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies. In order to do so, invites the State Party to request technical assistance and guidance and jointly organize with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies a series of technical workshops;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2016, an amended DSOCR, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, it being understood that no new detailed plans affecting the property will be approved before that date;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;
  8. Decides to retain Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

 

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Report year: 2015
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Date of Inscription: 2004
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Danger List (dates): 2012-2021
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC-15/39.COM/7A
WHC-15/39.COM/INF.7
WHC-15/39.COM/INF.7Rev
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2015) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 39COM (2015)
Exports
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* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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