Mayor Joe Anderson has personally intervened and halted a plan for a zip wire which would have ended at Liverpool Central Library, in the heart of the city’s cultural district.
In June, the Planning Committee approved an application for the zip wire to pass over St Johns Gardens behind St George’s Hall, and land on the roof of the building.
Mayor Anderson said: “ The Planning Committee is an independent group of councillors who have a quasi judicial role looking at the lawful application made by this company to operate a zip wire in this vicinity.
“The Committee agreed the planning officer’s recommendation and acted fairly and democratically in granting this application, despite what objectors say.
“As Mayor I do not interfere in the planning process. However, I do have the final decision on whether a building owned by the Council should be used in such a way.
“I have serious concerns about using this area, and having spoken to the company could not let them progress further, knowing I would not support it.
“I have today informed them that I will not give permission for any council owned building in this area to be used for the zip wire. They have accepted my position and we have mutually agreed to work together to identify an alternative option.
“I would like to thank Zip World for their co-operation and look forward to them working with us. Liverpool will always try and support imaginative ideas, especially those that can help us support businesses in difficult economic times.”
A spokesperson for Zip World said: “On the basis of the discussion with Mayor Anderson, we no longer propose to pursue an application at this location further and look forward to working with the council to identify a suitable alternative location.”
