A Report by the Assistant Chief Executive provided an update to the Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment presented to the Planning Committee on 17 September which sought permission to consult on a proposed Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCO), for the Port Sunlight Conservation Area. Members were informed that, following their consent, a consultation process had now been completed and responses were included in an appendix to the report.

Members were advised that Local Listed Building Consent Orders (LLBCOs) were introduced through the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (ERRA 2014) which gave Local Planning Authorities powers to make Legal Orders granting general Listed Building Consent for certain alterations (but not demolitions) to specified listed buildings. Members were informed that the measures were intended to simplify the development and management of listed buildings and came into force in April 2014.

Members heard how the Council had been working with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), with the support of Historic England to develop the LLBCO for specific buildings in the Port Sunlight Conservation Areas.

It was explained that the purpose of this LLBCO is to:

i.  Streamline and clarify the consent process for the most common listed building consent applications for owners in Port Sunlight Village;

ii.  provide clear and reliable information to empower property owners to address enforcement issues;

iii.  reduce capacity issues on the Council by reducing time spent on reviewing repetitive listed building consent applications.

Members heard how the consultation process work began on 18 September 2015 whereby consultation letters were sent out. At the same time, ten Site Notices were posted on lampposts within the area and additional site notices were posted in village bulletin boards and the Port Sunlight Village Trustees. Members were then advised that there were also two consultation events held in Port Sunlight village; the first on 7th October from 1:30 – 3:30pm and the second on 22^nd October from 5:30 – 7:30pm, during which, a total of 25 residents attended. It was explained that the consultation exercise was largely positive and comments were summarised within the report.

It was explained how it is a requirement that the proposed order would be subject to continuous monitoring to assess its effectiveness and the Council would consider annual reports on the progress of the LLBC.

Councillor Mitchell addressed the Committee to thank officers for all their hard work through the consultation process and subsequent preparation of the report. This was endorsed by the Committee.

Councillor Leech further praised Officers for their work and identified to the Committee that if approved, Wirral be the lead Authority in the implementation of a LLBCO.

Resolved (12:0):

That the Local Listed Building Consent Order for Port Sunlight be adopted for a period of ten years.