Liverpool has officially been stripped of its prestigious World Heritage status.
UNESCO’s committee voted in favour of the city centre losing the distinction it has held for the previous 17 years in a meeting on Wednesday morning.
Support to remove Liverpool from the World Heritage register was passed by a majority of 13 votes to five among commitee delegates assembled in China.
Since 2004, the city had found itself sitting alongside the Great Wall of China and Taj Mahal on the list of a place of considerable historic significance.
However UNESCO had placed Liverpool on its heritage danger list since 2012 amid concerns over the planned regeneration of the city’s north docklands.
Peel’s Liverpool Waters development, which includes Everton’s proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, was cited as a particular area of concern.
Leading figures from across the city’s political and business sectors recently made an impassioned plea for UNESCO to consider delaying its final decision.
Mayor Joanne Anderson said: “I’m hugely disappointed and concerned by this decision to delete Liverpool’s World Heritage status, which comes a decade after UNESCO last visited the city to see it with their own eyes.
“Our World Heritage site has never been in better condition having benefitted from hundreds of millions of pounds of investment across dozens of listed buildings and the public realm.
“We will be working with Government to examine whether we can appeal but, whatever happens, Liverpool will always be a World Heritage city.
“We have a stunning waterfront and incredible built heritage that is the envy of other cities.
“Our commitment to maintaining and improving our buildings remains as strong as ever and will continue to be a key part of our drive to attract visitors, along with leisure, retail and events.
“I find it incomprehensible that UNESCO would rather Bramley-Moore Dock remain a derelict wasteland, rather than making a positive contribution to the city’s future and that of its residents.
“I’ll now be seeking to draw together all the UK heritage bodies in a round table to plan a positive future with further investment.”