Ymddiriedolaeth
Diogelu Castell Rhiw’rperrai
Patron / Nodwr Jack Hanbury
Deputy Lieutenant of Gwent.
President /
Llywydd Jeff Cuthbert Police and Crime
Commissioner for Gwent.
RE: 19/0788/LBC and 19/0787/COU: Conservation
repairs and conversion of ancillary listed buildings consisting of the Former
Dairy and Laundry 19/0790/LBC and 19/0789/COU : Carry out conservation repairs,
conversion and change of use of ancillary curtilage building consisting of a
former Greenhouse store to provide an alternative bat roost at Ruperra Castle
Rudry Road to Craig Llan, Rudry.
You may have already sent in an objection
to the above applications, but if you haven’t please could you do so now? Even
if you have objected previously, , there is no harm in adding extra
points. We are also writing to the heritage
experts who have helped us in the past. We find it incomprehensible that Cadw has said
that it has no objection to the planning applications, so we feel we must stand
up for the Castle as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and 2* Listed Building. We hope you agree and that you will use some
or all of the following points in your email or letter:
1. There is no mention of repair to
the Castle in these applications despite the numerous designations that are
supposed to protect the area and its precious heritage assets;
2. NRW has lodged a holding objection
to the applications subject to more surveys being undertaken of the protected
species on the site - including a nationally important maternity roost of
Greater Horseshoe Bats in the Generator Block - and redesign to reduce its
ecological impact;
3.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage gave money for repair of the South Porch, but
this had to be used to remove a dangerous chimney stack; before the proposed
work on the Porch could re-start. The owner carried out unauthorised clearance
work so the licence for further work on the Castle was withdrawn by NRW;
4. In RCPT’s view residential use of
the Stable Block and Bothy would bring activity, lighting and noise close to
the Castle at all hours of the day and night, removing any prospect of an
environmental and ecological solution that would accord with the Climate
Emergency declared by the Council and with the Council’s duties under the Welsh
Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act; and
5. The Environment (Wales) Act of 2016
put in place legislation necessary to manage Wales’ natural resources in a more
proactive, sustainable and joined up way. Further to this protection is the
letter to all Heads of Planning from Neil Hemington, Chief Planner, Welsh
Government, dated 23 October 2019 stating that: Planning Policy Wales Edition
10 sets out (in para 6.4.5) that “planning
authorities must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of
their functions. This means that
development should not cause any significant loss of habitats or populations of
species, locally or nationally and must provide a net benefit for
biodiversity.”
Because of
the above RCPT considers that both applications should be refused. Unless Welsh
Government decides to call-in the applications, decisions on them are likely to
be taken by Caerphilly County Borough Council this autumn. We urge you to write to the Council with your
views to: planadmin@caerphilly.gov.uk
Many thanks Pat Jones-Jenkins, RCPT Secretary
Registered in Cardiff / Cofrestrwyd yng
Nghaerdydd .Rhif 6656134 Charity Number / Rhif Elisen
1135940
Chair / Cadair Kay Powell powellkays@gmail.com
Sec./Ysgr patjonesjenkins@googlemail.com 01656 741622
Registered address Cyfeiriad
cofrestredig / Areithin, Heol Ton,
Ton Kenfig, CF33 4PS www.ruperra.wales
