PLANS to transform the site of a medieval manor in Bromborough into a Heritage Hub and park have been boosted by heritage lottery funding.

National land management charity the Land Trust, Chester-based Community Interest Company, Big Heritage and Wirral Autism Together had applied for funding for its Discovering Bromborough; Interpreting the past project.

The scheme aims to enhance visitor facilities at Port Sunlight River Park and connect it to the site of what was Bromborough Court House.

There are also plans for new pathways at the park, which will give visitors the chance to explore large areas of Eastern Wirral on foot or bike, taking in the archaeological heritage of the Court House site and the history of Bromborough and former Bromborough Dock.

Port Sunlight River Park will also benefit from a refurbishment of the existing building on site to create a free to visit community heritage space. 

The project's creators have been given Heritage Lottery development funding of £35,500 to progress their plans and apply for a full grant at a later date.

The site of Bromborough Old Court House is considered to be of national importance.

Its location near the River Mersey and proximity to the Irish Sea has made it an important site through the centuries for defence and industry and the Old Court House site scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 is believed to have been an area of significance since at least the medieval period.

Dr Jo Kirton, project manager said: "Recent excavation by Big Heritage and local volunteers revealed the first evidence for medieval occupation on the site, which will form the focus of archaeological exploration throughout this project.

"It's an exciting opportunity for all involved and the results will help us better understand and protect the site".

The Dock, at what is now the Land Trust’s Port Sunlight River Park, was opened in 1931 and served the Lever Brothers factory from the 19th century until the 1980s.

It provided a link to the Birkenhead Railway and was strategically important during WWII, being used for the construction of Maunsell army forts and offshore anti-aircraft towers which were situated in Liverpool Bay.  

A gradual decline in goods traffic resulted in the closure of the dock in 1986.

Following that period, much of the site was used for landfill until its closure in 2006.

In 2014, The Land Trust opened the restored site as Port Sunlight River Park; a community space offering walkways, wildlife havens and stunning views of Liverpool's iconic skyline.

Sarah Palgrave-Neath, North West estates manager at the Land Trust said: "This is a valuable opportunity for the community to explore and appreciate the rich heritage of the site and surrounding area".