PORT Sunlight Village Trust, responsible for preserving the historic conservation area in Wirral, says it needs more money to preserve it despite showing a healthy bank balance, according to official figures. The news comes as campaigners opposing plans for a massive new development of modern apartments on the edge of the village claim the Trust is misleading people about the scheme. The Save Port Sunlight (SPS) campaign made up of local residents sprang up in reaction to plans by the Trust to raise extra cash from the new scheme. Plans have been submitted to Wirral Council for the project, which would see a massive three-storey block of flats built in partnership with Miller Homes at Wharf Street and Water Street. The Trust says the building of more than 100 glass fronted apartments, the biggest change to the village's horizon in decades, will safeguard Port Sunlight's future by raising vital income for repairs elsewhere. Port Sunlight is made up of 900 Grade II-listed buildings set among open greens and gardens. But campaigners, who say the proposed development is completely out of character with the existing village houses, argue it is not needed and will become an eyesore in the picturesque conservation area. SPS member Steve Thomas said: "The Trust made a surplus of approximately £2m between March 1999 and March 2003. "Lionel Bolland, the Trust's chief executive, told the Daily Post on March 3, 2004 'Our income does not meet our expenditure'. However, over the four years that the Trust has submitted accounts to the Charity Commission, its total gross income has been £6.47m while its total expenditure has been £4.36m." Steve Thomas also said the Trust's assets, which include the property it owns, have a "book value" of around £13m, but this could be several times higher in today's market. He said: "We would like an explanation for the discrepancy between this publicly available information and the statement made by the Trust." Lionel Bolland said the Trust needed to increase income to allow it to keep on top of major repairs left undone over the last few years. He added: "We own 240 houses and the rent from that is enough to care for them. "But we also have significant buildings in the village to look after, with repair responsibilities. We need to ensure we've the revenue stream to meet these needs." He added: "The fact that the village is so lovely looking and appears to be so well maintained is possibly the greatest enemy because it gives a sense of opulence that is quite a clever facade." "There is £400,000 a year not being spent that should be. We are taking a sensible, balanced, long-term view to keep this village here for the next 100 years." | 
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