Updated planning rules to safeguard historic garden village for future generations
New planning rules will make life easier for residents while also preserving the historic Port Sunlight village.
Wirral Council and Port Sunlight Village Trust have worked in partnership, with support from Historic England, to develop a Local Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCO) for Port Sunlight.
It will streamline the consent process for residents while more effectively managing change and seeking to regain lost heritage features in the village.
Cllr Stuart Kelly, Chair of Wirral Council’s Planning Committee, said:
Port Sunlight is a unique and treasured part of Wirral, with significance that reaches well beyond our region. Protecting its character is essential to ensure it remains both distinctive and welcoming. We believe these changes will help safeguard its charm for generations to come.
The updated Order will run from 2025-2040 and include two new categories of permitted works:
- Outbuilding Doors. Their contribution to the character of Port Sunlight is recognised alongside the need for clarity regarding their appropriate repair or replacement.
- Vacuum Insulated Glazing (VIG). This can improve energy efficiency without compromising heritage value.
The existing consent for satellite dishes is also now removed due to a lack of demand and the availability of modern digital alternatives with existing satellite dishes allowed to stay provided they had permission.
Port Sunlight is garden village founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever and holds a unique place in the history of town planning having been originally designed to provide his industrial workers with decent sanitary housing in a considered architectural form.
The village is set in 130 acres of well-maintained parkland and is acknowledged as a place of rich national architectural and historic significance with nearly every building within the conservation area Grade II listed with Historic England.
The new LLBCO underwent a four week statutory public consultation before being introduced.
