Penrhos, Anglesey- Landscape at risk

 

Penrhos is an historic park and garden, which used to surround the mansion the Owen family. It passed into the hands of Sir John Thomas Stanley, who had married Margaret Owen in 1763 and remained with the Stanleys until just after WWII. Much of the Penrhos’s development was during the first decade of the 19^th century including buildings now listed at Grade II and the surrounding woodlands. During the 1960s, the main house was demolished.

 

Since 1972, 200 acres of Penrhos was opened as a nature reserve (the whole of which spans 600 acres!) by its current owner Anglesea Aluminium Metals Ltd. It is the third most popular site for tourists and is full of interesting wildlife and plant life, some of which were planted over 200 years ago. Penrhos is now at risk as its prospective purchaser, a company called Land & Lakes, have submitted a planning application to deforest a large portion of the nature reserve in order to build a  holiday park which will include 487 buildings, access roads, and footpaths. The plans will not only greatly disturb local wildlife, it will restrict public access to a large section of historic woodlands and will lose the integrity of this heritage asset. Penrhos represents great historic and eco-logical importance; it was even designated as a Regionally Important and Geomorphological Site in 2009 and also falls under Anglesey’s status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This calls for the “the unique landscape, natural beauty and special qualities of the Isle of Anglesey AONB” to be “conserved and enhanced for the benefit of present and future generations”. Such a plan to destroy and build upon this land goes against its status and is not allowed.

 

At present, the plans for Penrhos are being processed and the decision will be made at the end of summer. Locals and people further afield have signed 3 petitions with over 3500 signatories and 60 or so letters of objection have been submitted the deadline for objection letters is the 26th June 2013. Anyone who wishes to write to the planning committee should do so before the deadline and include the title “Penrhos Coastal Park/Cae Glas/Kingsland Holyhead Planning Application” and quote the reference number “46C427K/TR//EIA/ECON”. Remember to check out Savepenrhos Reserve Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/savepenrhos.reserve) and Save PENRHOS Nature Reserve Holyhead (https://www.facebook.com/thepoetsofHolyIsland) for more info. Every letter helps!

St. Lukes, Abercarn

St Lukes is an abandoned grade II* listed church in Abercarn, Caerphilly, South Wales. The church is a very large and impressive building demonstrating a great example of modern architecture. This large church was designed by John Coates Carter (1859-1927), a famous Welsh architect during his later years around 1924-6 out of an unusual mix of local sandstone and reinforced concrete. Unfortunately, it was left to ruin in 1980 after prolonged issues with the roof and severe subsidence despite the building of a replacement roof in 1958 to counter these issues. St. Luke’s is of architectural significance because it demonstrates Carter’s “finest moment” and is “an important building in terms of UK Modernism”. It is a rare example Carter’s later works in which he broke away from historic themes and new building methods and modern style which now stands as a sad case of neglect. The damaged roof and the lack of windows, doors and water goods are putting the surrounding walls and floors in danger of deterioration despite their current strong condition. Evidence of criminal activity within the abandoned premises is now putting the local area and people at risk, clearly the restoration of this magnificent building will help revive the area and bring a much deserved sense of local heritage back.

The impressive looming tower still standing triumphantly

Detail of some of the vandalism at St. Lukes

Detail of water damage caused by the lack of Water-goods.