Port Sunlight’s boundary walls and timber yard gates contribute to the uniform character of the conservation area and the heritage value of its listed homes. PSVT recommend maintenance and repair of original yard gates over replacement.
PSVT and Wirral Council adopted the Port Sunlight Local Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCO) to clarify and streamline the Listed Building Consent process to replace severely deteriorated or inappropriate yard gates.
For full details about the LLBCO notice process and the design and specification for replacement yard gates visit.
To keep your yard gates in tip-top condition:
- Prevent wood rot in your yard gate by checking it regularly. Signs to watch out for are soft, brittle or crumbly wood; insects in the wood; cracked or flaking paint. In case of wood rot, contact a joiner.
- Yard gates are exposed and vulnerable to deterioration. Check the coping at the top of the gate to ensure it is fitted securely and working properly. If this element has deteriorated, a joiner could replace or repair it.
- Rusted gate hardware can damage boundary walls and the timber gate, so these should be properly maintained.
- If your yard gate is sticking, a qualified joiner will be able to adjust it.
Dealing with deterioration in the paint finish to the timber or the gate hardware can be a DIY job. Remember to check the right paint colour for your yard gate in the Schedule of Paint Colours.