Wirral Council is backing Port Sunlight's "once in a decade" bid for World Heritage Status (WHS).
The historic village, which was developed by ‘Soap King’ William Hesketh Lever in 1888, is renowned for its beautiful architecture, stunning parkland and thriving community. Plans for the village to bid for WHS, announced yesterday, come less than a year after Liverpool was stripped of its status by UNESCO following a long-running dispute over waterfront development.
Since 2000, the question of Port Sunlight’s eligibility for the accolade has been raised by the community and local politicians, and now the UK g overnment’s open call for applications to the Tentative List for WHS inscription gives the village a rare chance to be considered for global recognition.
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Paul Harris, Chief Executive at the Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), said: “The UK’s Tentative List is typically only reviewed at ten-yearly intervals so this is a rare opportunity that must be seized.
"Port Sunlight’s ambition for inscription has really developed over two decades. We have done our research, sought expert advice, learnt from others, talked to and reflected on the needs of stakeholders and constituents, weighed up the potential impact for heritage and people, and considered the needs of our businesses."
Paul added he believes the inscription would help to "celebrate Port Sunlight’s global value" and "foster pride” in the village from across the region.
Port Sunlight is comprised of 900 Grade II-listed buildings within 130 acres of parkland, and is home to both the Port Sunlight Museum and the neoclassical Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Plans have been backed by PSVT's strategic partners Wirral Council, National Museums Liverpool and Unilever.
Leader of Wirral Council Janette Williamson said: “As an active partner of the bid, we have witnessed first-hand the remarkable character and passion this village, and the team of staff and volunteers has to achieve this enormous global accolade; a place that so many communities on the Wirral feel such pride for.
"We look forward to working with them, in every way possible, to achieve a successful outcome.”
If the bid is successful, Port Sunlight could be ranked alongside other globally significant communities, including Saltaire and New Lanark, and famous landmarks such as Stonehenge and The Tower of London.
The Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) will select up to ten UK sites to join the Tentative List and announce the results of the bidding process in late Autumn 2022.
PSVT has commissioned community engagement specialists who will help to deliver some public engagement events for all Port Sunlight’s stakeholders. This will provide opportunities for individuals and organisations to learn what World Heritage Status could mean for the village and Wirral as a whole.
Pop Up Consultation Events:
Date: Monday June 27, New Ferry – Bebington Rd (pedestrian zone) between 2.30-6.30pm
Date: Wednesday June 29, Bebington – Civic Centre, CH63 7PT between 2.30-6.30pm
Date: Thursday June 30, Port Sunlight – Port Sunlight Museum Green CH62 5DX
(next to Port Sunlight Museum) between 2.30-6.30pm
For more information about the pop-up events and what World Heritage Status might mean for Port Sunlight, click here.
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