Port Sunlight Village Trust appoints urban designers for new public realm strategy

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) has appointed urban designers and landscape architects Planit-IE to develop a new public realm strategy for Port Sunlight. The brief was developed in partnership with Wirral Council who have a shared responsibility for the village’s public realm.
 
The public realm plays a fundamental role in how well places function and our perception and understanding of them. For PSVT, the commissioning of a public realm strategy represents a very significant step in the organisation’s journey towards realising its vision for Port Sunlight, to create ‘an inspiring place to live, work and visit’.  
 
Since the launch of PSVT’s new 5-year strategic plan in 2019, a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to support the development of a new masterplan for the village. The staff and Board have worked with some brilliant organisations to develop their thinking, including Chris Blandford Associates, Creative Heritage Consultants, L&R Consulting, Outside Studios, Donald Insall Associates, the University of Manchester, EMBED and the Disability Collaborative Network, and The Environment Partnership.
 
Over the last two years, and in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, PSVT has identified new uses for its public buildings and spaces, improved its understanding of the significance and meaning of the site, begun to adopt a fresh approach to interpreting the village’s heritage, increased its knowledge of the condition and needs of Port Sunlight’s heritage assets, and taken time to reflect on its role in combatting climate change and social injustice.
 
Paul Harris, Chief Executive of PSVT:
“This public realm strategy represents the final piece of our masterplan, bringing all of these elements together to form an exciting new vision for the village, one that protects the heritage character and value of the site whilst also ensuring that the village is relevant and an inclusive and welcoming place for all. We are very excited about Port Sunlight’s future and delighted to be working with Planit-IE, a company that share our values, on this critical piece of work for the village.
 
Anna Couch, Studio Director of Planit-IE:
“We are excited to be working with PSVT and wider stakeholders to bring forward a public realm strategy for the village. When it was first conceived and developed Port Sunlight was an exemplar model village which raised expectations for the quality of workers housing, with values centred on health and well-being at the heart of its vision. We are keen to explore how this original vision still resonates and translates in the 21st Century”.
 
PSVT and the Planit-IE team have planned two days of public consultation for everyone to come and have their say on topics including recreation, biodiversity and sustainable drainage solutions to, spaces for events, improvements to paving, traffic speeds and cycling.
Paul Harris, Chief Executive of Port Sunlight Village Trust continues:
 
“We would encourage people to come and share their views on 15th & 16th October. Whether you are a village resident, employee of one the village businesses, a regular dog-walker in Port Sunlight, or an occasional visitor. Port Sunlight’s public realm belongs to everyone, and we need your help to ensure the village is fit for the future.”
 
Public Consultation
Date: 15th & 16th October 2021 
Location: Museum Green, off King George’s Drive, Port Sunlight CH62 5DX
For more information about the event visit our What’s On page or to find out more about what the Public Realm Consultation is, visit our dedicated page here
 
If you are unable to attend the public consultation in-person, you can complete a short survey hereWhen filling in the survey you may need to view our consultation boards, you can click here to view/download the PDF.
Or alternatively you can request a hard copy from the main office, or call 0151 644 4800 or email admin@portsunlightvillage.com