Liverpool is renowned for its variety of buildings which are recognised across the globe.
Over the years the city has changed dramatically thanks to developments such as Liverpool One and and those around the Arena and Convention Centre. Properties including student flats, luxury apartments and housing estates often get planning permission and become part of the property scene.
However, not every plan results in a building - plenty never get off the ground for a variety of reasons. There have been a number of grand plans over the years which were scrapped.
READ MORE: Breed of dog that killed baby Bella-Rae Birch in horror attack confirmed
Our city could have looked very different if these expansive proposals went ahead. We take a look back at some of the most remarkable planned buildings that were never actually built in the city.
The 'Fourth Grace'
One building that never got off the ground because of costs getting out of hand was the controversial 'Cloud' structure planned for the Pier Head. Dubbed 'Liverpool's Fourth Grace' it was designed by architect Will Alsop and was planned to incorporate the new Museum of Liverpool.
There was uproar at the time regarding the building - set to be Liverpool's flagship Capital of Culture project - and in 2004 it was ditched.
The Tram
Not a building, but after 13 years of speculation and debate, the much vaunted plans for a Merseyside tram were eventually dropped in 2013. The scheme first won Government backing in 2002 and more than £70m was spent on it - including hundreds of thousands of pounds on the rails on which the tram would have run.
The planned line would have run from Kirkby to Liverpool - but in 2005 the government withdrew £170m of funding for the project - which collapsed altogether eight years later.
Liverpool's tallest skyscraper
Major plans for a striking sail-shaped skyscraper were shot down by government in 2006. The 52-storey tower at Brunswick Quay would have easily been Liverpool's tallest building at the time.
But the plans were subject to a public inquiry amid fears of damage to the nearby World Heritage site.
Ice Rinks (plural)
In 2017, it was reported that developers YPG had teamed up with the city council and call centre operator The Contact Company to develop Monarchs Quay - part of the Kings Dock. As part of the proposals, it was revealed that an ice rink or another 'major visitor attraction' could form part of the development.
YPG were clearly serious about the plans as they produced some stunning visuals of how the planned ice arena might look. While those plans didn't come to fruition, just this week news broke that the city council is looking to buy the freehold of Kings Dock for a nominal £1 sum and is still planning to create a 'world class, vibrant leisure-based mixed-use destination' at the waterfront site.
In 2018, there was talk of another plan for a Liverpool ice rink.
In a pre-election announcement, the Labour administration suggested that plans to revamp the former Kensington fruit and veg market could include a new ice rink. Any plans for such a facility are yet to emerge.
Kings Dock Stadium
Before Everton's plans to move to Bramley Moore Dock, there was Kings Dock.The Blues proposed a waterfront stadium at the beginning of the new millennium as it became clear that they favoured a new site over the redevelopment of Goodison Park.
The stadium formed one part of a larger masterplan that also involved housing and the wider redevelopment of land facing the River Mersey. But though the project received backing from fans in 2001, progress began to stall over the next few years.
Issues over financial backing emerged and caused rancour among many fans concerned over how much of the project Everton would actually own. The club's plans to move into the new stadium by the start of the 2005/2006 season were dashed in 2002 after the project was delayed further - and struggles to find funding continued.
The bid to build the stadium eventually collapsed completely in 2003.
King Edward Tower
A remarkable looking skyscraper planned for Liverpool's waterfront would have included the UK's highest living space - if it had been built. The building was set to reach up 54 storeys and 170 metres into the Merseyside skyline and would have included 412 apartments, as well as retail and leisure space on the site of the former King Edward pub.
Plans were submitted in 2007 but were later withdrawn because of a lack of funding.
Mickey Mouse plan
Back in 1984, the ECHO reported on talks to bring Disneyland to the city. Disney was urged to look at the International Garden Festival site and at land in Speke.
Disney's European park was later built near Paris instead.
Ghost Cathedral
Liverpool is of course famous for having two wonderful cathedrals - but one of them could have been very different. The Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedrals are admired the world over - but there were plans for a different building with what would have been the world's biggest dome if it was built, even larger than St Peter's in Rome.
The foundation stone for the immense Catholic cathedral, in Brownlow Hill - designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens - was actually laid in 1933. The design would have dominated the Liverpool skyline, dwarfing the Anglican cathedral.
The height from the lowest step of the western front to the top of the lantern would have measured an enormous 520ft. But work was interrupted by World War II and the cathedral was ultimately considered too expensive to complete.
This meant the current Metropolitan Cathedral was built instead upon Lutyens crypt, the only part of his design to be completed.
