By Daily Post Correspondent

CAMPAIGNERS have met demolition experts over the partial knocking down of a listed building in Liverpool city centre. The consultant for Heritage Demolitions met one of the campaigners who fought to save the Old Hall Street cottages to explain exactly what work was being done.

The renovation of Grade II listed buildings, which will form part of a £60m development, was criticised by Pat Moran, chairman of Heritage for Merseyside Civic society, for being too heavy handed. Wladek Reszckynski, consultant on the project, explained to Mr Moran exactly what the work involved. The front wall of the cottages will remain along with the gable and half the roof. He said a protected building survey was carried out before any work went ahead and materials from the original structure which can be reclaimed had been saved.

Mr Reszckynski said: "I am very happy with the work that is being carried out and we are doing it with the utmost care. We are experts in this kind of work and I am pleased with what we have done." Mr Moran said: "When I saw what is being allowed to be done I was absolutely gutted. "Mr Reszckynski is doing an excellent job in what he does and is highly respected in his trade but the building should not have been allowed to get into the state it was in in the first place. A great deal of the building has gone and one of the cottages which has listed status has been knocked down. This should not have been allowed."

A spokesman for Beetham, which is developing the site, said: "The work being carried out to 91-95 Old Hall Street is in accordance with the listed building consent and planning approval obtained by Beetham in October 2001. "This was obtained through the normal statutory framework which full consultation with the statutory consultees and any members of the public who wished to make representations. "Should any further information be required then the plans for the scheme at Old Hall Street are available for inspection at the City Council's offices." The hotel will be a 200-room Radisson SAS.