Earlier, Liverpool's head of planning Mike Birchnall warned that any delay in the Grosvenor project due to Quiggins being excluded from the CPO would bring major timetable problems.
He said: "To have Quiggins stay where it is would have fundamental implications for the scheme, not just in financial but in practical terms.
"Our hope is that by 2007 and 2008 (Capital of Culture year) most of the major city centre elements would be complete.
"Having the scheme still being implemented with major disruption in the city centre would be a major issue. It was also one of the key elements in the Capital of Culture bid to have the Paradise Street Development Area in place by 2008."
HM Inspector Derek Mumford asked Mr Birchnall why the creation of a "market square" with stalls and traders adjacent to Quiggins - an option put forward by Quiggins QC Robert McCracken - was not thought viable?
Mr Mumford said: "I walked past Concert Square last night and it showed that squares can be vibrant in Liverpool."
In reply, Mr Birchnall said: "Concert Square has major leisure users opening out into the square.
"Quiggins would not open out on to the square.
"There would be no active frontage to St Peter's Square."
He said that in the "fantasy land" of Quiggins being excluded from the CPO and the scheme continuing, you would end up with open space opposite its building.
"You make that sound like the worst thing since Sodom and Gomorrah," said Mr McCracken and accused the planner of a "depressing lack of vision."
* THE hearing continues at the Foresight Centre, London Road, today.
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