A charity group has launched a crowdfunding campaign after unsuccessfully challenging a multi-million pound overhaul of Lime Street.
The legal challenge launched by Save Britain’s Heritage, opposing the £35m revamp of the famous Liverpool street, was dismissed by a High Court judge on Friday.
Now the charity organisation, which campaigns for the conservation of historic buildings, wants to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
It is asking for donations totalling £12,500 to cover legal costs.
The fundraising campaign reads: “£12,500 is a small sum to save an important gateway site. If we are successful there is a chance of getting a better solution for the site. Help us SAVE Lime Street!”
Revised plans for the regeneration of the Eastside of Lime Street are due to be considered this week by Liverpool City Councils Planning Committee. The mixed-use vision comprises a new hotel, shops, restaurants and student accommodation and aims to bring vitality and a radically improved visual aspect to the block between the historic Vines and Crown pubs.
The council approved development will include the demolition of the Futurist Cinema to make way for student accommodation, retail units and a hotel built on and behind the famous Liverpool street.
Save Britain’s Heritage director Clem Cecil said: “Save has been campaigning for historic buildings in Liverpool for forty years and knows how important it is to take the long term view. The suggested replacement proposals are poor and, crucially, unnecessary. They replace a coherent street-scape that has evolved over centuries, with a monolithic student block.
How the revamped ABC Cinema building on Lime Street could look. Picture: Infinte 3D Ltd
Following the High Court’s dismissal of Save’s legal challenge, Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “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.”
The crowdfunding campaign, which was launched on Friday, has raised just over under £450.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/