Views sought on proposed new planning rules for Port Sunlight
New planning rules to make life easier for residents while also preserving the historic Port Sunlight village are to be consulted on over the coming weeks.
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.
The aim is to streamline the consent process for residents while more effectively managing change and seeking to regain lost heritage features in the village.
Port Sunlight holds a unique place in the history of town planning. The garden village was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever.
It was 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.
Chair of Wirral Council’s Planning Committee, Cllr Stuart Kelly, said:
Port Sunlight is a special place not just in Wirral but nationally and internationally and its preservation is important to ensure it retains its distinctive character while also being a popular and beautiful place to live. We believe these proposals will help ensure it remains so for current and future generations and would encourage Port Sunlight residents and community groups to engage with the consultation.
The new LLBCO will undergo a four week statutory public consultation in order to inform residents of the document’s update, invite comments and then seek approval.
Reflecting evolving conservation needs the updated Order would 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 proposal would also remove the existing consent for satellite dishes due to a lack of demand and the availability of modern digital alternatives with existing satellite dishes allowed to stay provided they had permission.
To take part in the consultation online visit Wirral Council’s Have Your Say webpage: Have your say Wirral. The consultation is due to continue until October 21st.
