Last updated:8 July 2025

Liverpool City Council is due to consider a new planning framework designed to protect buildings and areas of heritage value across the city.

The Historical Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out detailed guidance on how new developments should protect the city’s character and unique identity. A draft of the SPD will be presented at a Cabinet meeting next Tuesday (15 July).

The draft has been produced following engagement with key stakeholders including residents and historical societies. It will be reviewed by the Cabinet and, if approved, will go through another round of consultations before it is finalised later this year.

On adoption of the planning document, all planning applications for works and developments in and around historical buildings, conservation areas or registered parks will be required to take it into account.

The SPD ensures that Liverpool’s most beloved and world-famous sites will be protected in all future new developments and alterations. Any new buildings or structures in areas of historical significance will need to take account of their unique character.

This guidance will supplement Liverpool’s Local Plan and will sit alongside other SPDs such as the Tall Buildings policy.

There are around 1,500 listed buildings and structures around Liverpool, as well as five ‘scheduled ancient monuments’ of special interest, like The Calderstones, and West Derby Castle.

Recently, the Metropolitan Cathedral’s cultural impact was recognised as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport awarded it Grade I listed status.

Furthermore, the SPD notes the importance of 36 conservation areas around the city and 10 registered public parks and gardens including Wavertree Garden Suburb, Hartley’s Village, Newsham Park, Woolton Village and Castle Street.

Special attention is paid in the document to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, which itself is the subject of an ongoing consultation. It calls on new riverside developments to harmonise with the existing natural and historic environment.

Four key objectives of the SPD are:

“As we look to the future and the amazing new projects being planned to take the city forward, we must also remember the incredible buildings and places that make this city so special.

“Liverpool is steeped in history and this document will help us protect our cherished landmarks while making new ones. We are lucky to have much-loved greenspaces all over the city, and this proposed policy would put necessary safeguarding measures in place for them. “Most of all, this city belongs to its people, which is why consultations with residents and businesses are so valuable.”