As another Christmas dawns, our thoughts turn to the Commonwealth...

O.K. maybe not the Queens Speech but as one of the oldest and most venerated people on this forum, I thought I might write a few words about 2005 and what we can expect next year.

2005 has probably been the most active year for city centre development since the days of post-war reconstruction. Two massive developments (PSDA and Kings Waterfront)well underway and four towers over 20 mikes at different stages of construction.

All the same, a lot of people are going to remember it for the disappointments. Brunswick Quay Tower and Chieftain were rejected. We probably expected that but what none of us expected was the cancellation of Merseytram, which is a big blow to the regeneration of the city and one which it will take a long time to recover from.

However, back in 2004 we had a time when there were no cranes on the horizon. Now there are so many that we have given up counting them and more are on the way.

There is a lot to look forward to next year so expect the forum to be busier than ever. We are already the UKs busiest sub-forum and I wouldn't be surprised if we are one of the busiest on SSC.

Next year, we should see the following:

West Tower climbing to become the tallest building in the city.

Alexandra Tower dominating the north waterfront.

New World Squares emerging as the classiest development on Princes Dock.

The Malmaison completed.

A new City Lofts building on Princes Half Tide Dock.

The Pier Head at last being transformed with work underway on the Canal Link and the Museum of Liverpool. We should also see the landing stage extension and the new ferry terminal.

Kings Waterfront bristling with cranes as the new arena and convention centre start serious construction and a 21 storey apartment tower gets the go-ahead.

PSDA will be at the height of construction activity with the remainder of demolitions on Paradise Street completed and large buildings appearing in Lord Street, Hanover Street and a 17 storey Cesar Pelli tower on the Strand.

The Baltic Triangle transformed with a 14 storey apartment block on the old Lambs site, Chandlers Wharf completed and, maybe, a go ahead for the massive Windsor development.

Ropewalks will go on improving with new developments in Duke Street and the completion of Arthouse Square, Circle 101 and the Cleveland Square development.

The Met Quarter will open early in the year and promises to be the classiest new shopping centre in the city.

St Pauls Square will be well under construction, especially if approval is given for the second phase. Might also see some activity on Pall Mall.

As the year comes to an end, work on the demolition of Concourse House should start ready for the construction of the Gateway Tower.

Even on the transport front, things are unlikely to stay still. Liverpool South Parkway will open in the spring and give much improved rail access to John Lennon airport. Expect to see the airport masterplan for future expansion released soon.

Also by the airport, the Wings Entertainment park with its two hotels will start serious construction and there will be more development on the Estuary Commerce Park.

Some things will hang in the balance. There is a chance that we will see the revival of Merseytram if the judicial review goes in our favour but, if not, expect to see a new transport strategy launched by Merseytravel, probably including the extension of the Merseyrail system.

Brunswick Quay will have its appeal heard in May, so this tower may reemerge, along with the 32 storey Chieftain proposal. Vermont stands a better chance of actually appearing next year.

So plenty of news, plenty of arguments and plenty of dust. In the meantime, everyone have a great Christmas.

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

By ecky thump.

Martin, you're a star. You always mange to refocus attention on to whats good.

Top bombing there and through the year, a grounded and stable viewpoint amongst the frenzy is priceless.

Keep it up.

Martin, Is that all we can look foreward to!! :) Oh well it should keep us busy in 2006. Excellent round up for next year, must agree with Toady a very positive outlook , lets hope we get more of the same on this forum next year.

My hope for next year is all these positive vibes are also shared by our Planning Manager and Planning Committee.

Cheers Martin , I always look forward to your well presented and thoughtful contributions, happy Christmas and see you in the new year. :cheers:

Yeah, nice optimistic outlook there Martin. If a lot of projects are cancelled in a good year, think of how much better it could all become without such annoying hindrances. Tell EH to stuff it and give the council a kick up the backside, and the future's bright (though not necessarily orange). :cheers:

My hope for next year is all these positive vibes are also shared by our Planning Manager and Planning Committee.


I think the Planning Committee is going to have to change to keep up with the times. There's more and more pressure being piled onto them by not only us and Downtown Liverpool, but by the mainstream media such as the Daily Post & Echo and the BBC, as well as the impression I'm getting that more and more 'normal' people (ie general public not ssc members ;)) are becoming more aware of how the city is changing and the things which are hindering it's progress ie English Heritage, negative planning policy. 2006 should be a good year for us!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members and readers! :cheers:

Martin is right in his accessments.

I note also that the whole Tall Buildings issue is starting to turn slightly. As government/european handouts start to wain, LCC won't want to stop private investment developments that its quango buddies have sort to quash. If the developers can hold their nerve and threaten to pull the plug instead of creating smaller versions, you may find Liverpool gets the skyline it merits.

I feel 2006 opens many opportunites, and the Tall Buildings policy will go through a re-think.

Seasons greetings (from Perugia)

Cheers for the imput, romablue.

I hope you plan to stick around for 2006. :cheers:

I feel 2006 opens many opportunites, and the Tall Buildings policy will go through a re-think.

Things may have already started, from thudbucket:

I was at the Grosvenor bash and spoke to Cllr Bradley. He said the Tall Buildings Policy was under review "as we speak" and thought there should be more tall buildings , but "within limits", ie more flexible than now.

Here's to a great 2006! :cheers:

Merry Christmas! :)


EDIT: I never meant to use the bash smiley!

Martin - Thanks for the round-up. The tram was undoubtedly the biggest let-down. Walking round town today I sorely missed the construction activity that would have been evident by now. But it's good to have a reminder of everything else that is happening or is in (and indeed well along) the pipeline. Especially as many people still seem to think Liverpool's regeneration is so fragile that one or two more setbacks for developers will be enough to send them all running off to Manchester. On the contrary, they are signs of strength.

Compliments of the season all round.

Hopefully the thinking and debate surrounding the decision to granp permission to the new waterfront museum will have helped in the process of realising just how out of kilter with what the city should want, pursue and celebrate, the 'heritage' agenda has been.

if it is innappropriate for this 'most precious' of sites then where on earth else in the city should it apply? Exactly!

John has put up a link to the full ICAMOS statement objecting to the plans...you should all read it to see just how far these people are from normal thinking about urbanism and planing for 'normal' cities.

Download it a nd read...laugh then despair that our city fathers ever saw fit to invite these folk to run amok with our ambitions and aspirations for revival!
http://www.downtownliverpool.org it is just underneath the Christmas wishes piece.

Alleullia Amen!