Merseyside Planning & Building
Contacts Directory

Liverpool's waterfront - the Pier Head, Albert Dock and Three Graces - are among the most significant heritage assets in England. The waterfront area was a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004-2021); development here remains highly sensitive and is subject to close scrutiny from Historic England. Liverpool's Georgian Quarter (streets of Grade II listed terraces), the Ropewalks Conservation Area, and numerous dockland heritage assets require specialist heritage assessment for any works. Ground contamination from port and industrial uses is widespread in the inner city. The Mersey is tidal throughout - riverside development requires Flood Risk Assessment.

The Wirral peninsula is bounded by the Mersey to the east and the Dee estuary to the west - both are internationally protected estuaries. The Dee Estuary is a Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. Coastal development anywhere on the Wirral requires Habitats Regulations Assessment. Birkenhead docks and the former Cammell Laird shipyard site are major brownfield regeneration zones. Port Sunlight (Lever Brothers) is a Grade II* listed model village and Conservation Area.

The Sefton Coast is one of England's most important sand dune systems - a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with highly restricted development near the dunes. Formby has the last remaining red squirrel colony in England. Southport is a Victorian resort town with extensive Conservation Areas. Coastal flood risk is significant along the entire Sefton coast - consult the EA and Shoreline Management Plan for any coastal development.

Knowsley has a significant logistics and industrial land portfolio including Knowsley Industrial Park (one of the North West's largest employment sites). Prescot is a historic market town with Conservation Area protection and the new Shakespeare North Playhouse. The former Jaguar Land Rover plant at Halewood is a major employment zone. Kirkby has significant brownfield regeneration activity.

St Helens was historically the centre of Britain's glass-making and chemical industries. Pilkington Brothers glass heritage is embedded in the town. Widespread ground contamination from former chemical, glass and mining industries - Phase 1 and Phase 2 ground investigation is standard for brownfield development. The Sankey Valley (world's first industrial canal, 1757) is a heritage asset with associated Conservation Area protections.

Each of the 5 metropolitan borough councils operates its own building control team. You may also use a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) anywhere in Merseyside.

Manchester office. Liverpool's built heritage is exceptionally significant: the Pier Head Three Graces, Albert Dock (largest Grade I listed building complex in the UK), and the Georgian and Victorian residential terraces of the city. Any development in or adjacent to the former World Heritage Site buffer zone will be subject to close Historic England scrutiny. Liverpool also has two Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals - both Grade I listed with large setting zones.

Contact the relevant borough planning department who will involve Merseyside Archaeological Service where archaeological assessment is required. Pre-industrial and medieval settlement remains have been found beneath many Merseyside town centre sites.

Flood Incident Line: 0345 988 1188 (24hr). The River Mersey is tidal throughout Merseyside - flood risk zones affect large areas of Liverpool, Wirral and Halton waterfront. The Dee Estuary on the Wirral's western flank is a European protected habitat. Tidal and coastal flood risk is a major consideration for the Sefton coast. Ground contamination is widespread across Merseyside from dock, shipbuilding, chemical and manufacturing industries - a Phase 1 desk study is standard for almost all brownfield sites.

Build-over agreements required within 3 metres of a public sewer. The inner Liverpool sewer network is Victorian-era - combined sewers are common, and sewer records are essential before any urban excavation.

Power cuts: 105. The Mersey tunnels (Queensway and Kingsway) have significant electrical infrastructure under the river. The port area has major high-voltage infrastructure associated with dock operations - always use LSBUD before excavating near dock areas.

Gas emergency: 0800 111 999. The Port of Liverpool and Stanlow oil refinery (Cheshire, adjacent to Merseyside) have significant high-pressure gas transmission infrastructure nearby. Always use LSBUD before any excavation near docks or industrial areas.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a safeguarded aerodrome - consult the airport operator for development near flight paths in south Liverpool and north Halton. The Mersey Tunnels (managed by Merseytravel) and the Runcorn Bridge are key cross-Mersey crossings.