With tree-lined boulevards, sweeping rows of cottages and 130 acres of parks and gardens, Port Sunlight is about as idyllic as a village can get. But such a picture-perfect setting comes with a price: anyone who is lucky enough to live in the Merseyside location must abide by a strict set of rules if they want to remain there.
The utopian village on the Wirral, which has over 900 Grade II listed homes, was the brainchild of factory owner Lord Leverhulme in the 19th century, built to provide affordable, high-quality housing for workers at the Sunlight Soap factory, Cheshire Live reports. The tenancies of the homes used to be tied to the factory, but after the homes were modernised that changed and in the late 1970s and early 1980s more became privately owned.
Now, around 600 of the houses are privately owned and 300 are looked after by the Port Sunlight Village Trust who rent them out, with only a small number of people who live in Port Sunlight working in the factory. You can read all our UK news stories here.
Contrary to what many might believe, there is no vetting process to live in Port Sunlight, and it is not just for people of a certain age. But in order to conserve the character of the village as it has been for more than 130 years, anyone who wants to live in Port Sunlight will be briefed before they buy or rent a home to let them know that there is a restrictive list of things they can not do.
In 2021, the Liverpool Echo got a glimpse of what life is like for residents living in the historic village. Resident John Spilletts, 75, said: "I wouldn't say they were 'rules', they are more 'covenances' - decorating inside is absolutely fine, but interior changes need to be consulted with, the Port Sunlight Village Trust has plans of all the houses, changes can only be made if they meet the criteria in keeping with the Grade II listed status."
Here are some of the rules John and his fellow residents must follow:
No fences, hedges or gates around gardens
The Port Sunlight Village Trust controls everything between the curbside and the doors of the houses, meaning that the lawn in front of a Port Sunlight house is communal.
Dedicated to preserving the original design and spirit of the village, the Trust will not allow the erection of gates, fences and hedgerows in front of houses. However, on the plus side, residents are spared the chore of mowing their lawns.
Residents must pay for the upkeep of the village
The greens, lawns, flowerbeds and so much else integral to the landscape of the village are all maintained by the Trust's landscape team. The team even change the plants according to the seasons.
They ensure all the grass is cut and kept neat, shrubs are well pruned and also introduce beautiful flowers throughout the year. John told the Echo that the service costs just £1 a year for each Port Sunlight resident, a price that has remained unchanged since the scheme began.
Front doors must be a certain colour
Each and every row of houses was designed by a different architect in a different style and all have their own unique embellishments, quirks and fashions. Some have big bay windows, while others have arched doorways, and all have very limited colour schemes that must be in keeping with the original design.
In order to preserve the look and feel of the village, great care is taken to ensure the homes are only updated within the rules of their Grade II listed status - and this includes what colour the front door is.
Permission must be sought to install a Ring doorbell
If residents want a high tech doorbell, they have to apply to Wirral Council to get planning permission to make the update.
No 'For Sale' signs or Sky dishes allowed
Residents cannot simply stick a sign up if they want to advertise their property for sale in Port Sunlight. As John explained, "Outside, it can only be painted in keeping with the colour scheme and there are no 'for sale' signs or Sky dishes, brick walls and gates outside are always refused - this lends itself to the total village feel."
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