Stop the rot or we'll lose these symbols of our region's history
By Gareth Hughes December 15 2004 Courtesy of The Daily Post
HISTORIC buildings could disappear from the North Wales landscape unless action is taken, it was claimed last night.
The Welsh Assembly must step in and prevent a catastrophe by saving the region's under threat halls and castles, believes a leading conservationist.
“If nothing is done, they could be wiped from the landscape for good,” said Michael Tree, a trustee of the Georgian Group and chairman of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust.
His comments echo those of the Victorian Society's historian Dale Dishon, who charged Welsh people of failing to appreciate the country's architectural heritage.
Mr Tree is a trustee of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, set up to prevent the Victorian edifice falling into ruin.
Other privately-owned historic North Wales buildings he believes are at risk include . Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw, ravaged by fire in October . Kinmel Hall, St George, which stands empty . Glynllifon, near Caernarfon, and Nannau, at Llanfachreth, near Dolgellau, now little more than a shell.
But he refused to blame local authorities for allowing listed properties to fall into disrepair.
He claims the National Assembly has the power to take action against owners and ensure the buildings are put back on the market.
"The councils should be properly funded and encouraged to do something because they have neither the skills nor the money to carry out the work," he said.
“A lot of such places have been in the hands of receivers or administrators who want a quick financial solution and sell them through commercial auctions,” said Mr Tree. “They are sold off cheaply, so that developers see them as a bargain, but then don't know what to do with them”.
“They are sometimes sold on from one hopeful developer to another before being left to fall into decline”.
“If such buildings are allowed to disappear it would be catastrophic,” he added.
A spokesman for Welsh historic buildings body Cadw said across the border English Heritage keeps a register of buildings at risk.
But in Wales it is the responsibility of local authorities.
“Most of the North Wales councils have completed their lists, having had grants from Cadw for the survey.”
“They have conservation officers who are responsible for keeping an eye on the buildings,” he said.
North Wales Conservative AM Mark Isherwood said it was a disgrace an important building such as Gwrych Castle is exposed to the elements and allowed to decline.
Clwyd West MP Gareth Thomas praised the preservation trust, set up by Prestatyn teenager Mark Baker, for its determination.
“It's important for the local community, and for North Wales as a whole, a building of such significance is saved,” he added.
The future of the Abergele castle, once home to the Dundonald family, is likely to become clearer over the coming weeks.
A feasibility study, commissioned by the 200-strong trust - one of the largest in Wales - into re-developing the property could lead to a compulsory purchase order being slapped on the mock-Gothic castle.
Mr Tree, who renovated Trevor Hall, near Llangollen and is now working on another property in the Conwy valley, is among the Gwrych Castle trustees. Sitting alongside him on a working party include Peter Welford and Judy Corbett, who restored Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst.
The trust has already raised £10,000 towards the feasibility study, which is likely to be carried out in January or February.
The trust can then pull-down money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources.
If Conwy County Borough Council uses a compulsory purchase order to buy the castle from American businessman Nick Tavaglione, the authority could hand it onto the trust.
The trust is then likely to sell it on to a private company.
“Although it would be in private hands there would still be a strong community involvement” said Mr Tree.
“If nothing is done it is going to be nothing more than a pile of stones.”
Kinmel Hall, a Victorian mansion once likened to Versailles, has had many uses over the years. After being destroyed by fire in 1975, IT was fully restored and became a Christian study centre. It was bought for £800,000 in 2001 by an East Midlands company.
Glynllifon, at Llanwnda, near Caernarfon, was built in the 19th century by Lord Newborough and has also filled many roles. Three years ago it was bought by a Chester company who planned to convert it into a luxury hotel.
Nannau, the former home of the Vaughan family, was built in about 1790 but is now little more than a shell. It is owned by a Midlands company.
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