THE go-ahead was given yesterday to a £50m scheme that will create twin towers - and 2,000 new jobs - close to Liverpool's world-famous waterfront.
But a leading architectural group said a major opportunity had been missed to create a public viewing platform on top of one of the towers.
CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, backed revised plans for a homes, offices and leisure development on the site of Richmond House, immediately at the rear of the Thistle Hotel.
CABE said the twin towers - the tallest 27 storeys high - will become a dominant feature on the city skyline.
In a plea to Liverpool City Council, the Commission said: "We believe there is an opportunity to provide a public viewing point - a strategy encouraged for tall buildings by both CABE and English Heritage."
The approval, given yesterday by Liverpool City Council's planning committee, does not include the top floor viewing area.
A spokesman for developers, Rumford Investments said: "We were not against opening the top floor for public use because it will create dramatic views of the city.
"But it was clear that planning officials were not in favour because one of the blocks is residential.
"It was felt that the scheme could not be delayed while that aspect was discussed."
Work is due to start next month when Richmond House, currently covered in scaffolding, is demolished to pave the way for the new scheme.
Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris have devised a revised project that won backing from leading bodies, such as English Heritage and Liverpool Vision.
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