Victorian Society legal challenge over zipwire

Liverpool Central Library (Victorian Society)

An application has been filed by the Victorian Society to request leave for a judicial review into Liverpool City Council's decision to allow a zipwire in the heart of Liverpool's World Heritage Site.

One end of the proposed zipwire would land on the roof of Liverpool's Central Library, a listed building in the heart of historic Liverpool, within the World Heritage Site.

The Victorian Society has applied to the High Court for leave for a judicial review into Liverpool City Council's decision to grant planning permission for the proposal, and also not to require listed building consent for it.

Tom Taylor, Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society, commented:

'Liverpool City Council has given consent for far too many harmful developments in recent years, from the Welsh Streets to the Futurist Cinema. The proposed zipwire could not be in a more insensitive or inappropriate position, right in the heart of Liverpool's great historic civic buildings and monuments. The noise and movement, as well as the physical infrastructure required would harm this important historic area. There are many places in Merseyside where a zipwire would be acceptable, but such a sensitive site is the wrong choice.'

The Victorian Society says it will shortly start a crowdfunding appeal to raise funds that will help make this legal challenge possible.