Residents

Policies & Plans

When thinking about looking after your property in Port Sunlight, it is important to remember the majority are Grade II listed and considered to be of national importance. All Port Sunlight’s listed buildings sit within a Conservation Area. National legislation exists to protect these from harmful changes, including:

  • Town and Country Planning Act (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) 1990
  • National Planning Policy Framework

Further protection comes from Wirral Council that has policies to care for the 26 Conservation Areas in Wirral of which Port Sunlight is one. They are working on a local plan which will further set out the Council’s approach to the care of heritage in the Wirral. These policies and legislation affect what you can do to a listed building.

Listed Building Consent and how to apply

To make changes to a listed building, you must apply for Listed Building Consent as set out on Wirral Council’s website here. In Port Sunlight, changes include alterations to windows, doors, roofs, chimneys and gutters at the front of the property. Alterations to the front of the property can also include changing signs and house numbers.

For the rear of the properties, PSVT worked closely with Wirral Council to develop a Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCO). This is a set of pre-agreed templates for windows, back doors and gates.  LLBCO applications can be made through a simple online form here. There are specific colour schemes for painting your house and PSVT can give you with all the information you need.

To further structure our care for the village, PSVT developed the Conservation Management Plan, which is adopted by Wirral Council. This sets out a ten-year plan for managing, maintaining, conserving and enhancing the heritage of the village. As residents of Port Sunlight, we are all stewards and caretakers for these historically important houses and the village itself.

Port Sunlight Village Trust’s role

People often ask about the role of PSVT in the care of the village. We are advisory and follow the same rules and regulations as anybody else who care for listed buildings and Conservation Areas. Caring for these buildings can often be challenging and PSVT is here to provide support for all residents on the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of their listed homes.

To further structure our care for the village, PSVT developed the Conservation Management Plan, which is adopted by Wirral Council. This sets out a ten-year plan for managing, maintaining, conserving and enhancing the heritage of the village. As residents of Port Sunlight, we are all stewards and caretakers for these historically important houses and the village itself.

Port Sunlight’s Conservation Management Plan

Founder William Lever and subsequent custodians of the village ‘moved with the times’. They introduced change as it was needed while preserving the character of the village. Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), residents and other village stakeholders face similar challenges. We must make the most of the opportunities open to us while preserving what is so valuable about the heritage of the village. The Conservation Management Plan (CMP) sets out PSVT’s ten-year plan to do just that. It celebrates the history, buildings, open spaces and community of the Port Sunlight Conservation Area, and describes our approach to managing, maintaining, conserving and enhancing the heritage. The CMP includes an executive summary, main report and supporting appendices.

View Conservation Management Plan