Dear Members

Bryngwyn Colliery Engine House, Bedwas, Caerphilly.

Some of you may recall two and a half years ago, a campaign was conducted to raise awareness of the plight of this unique building. The property developers (at that time Westbury Homes) who owned the Scheduled Monument , which is situated in the middle of a property development, had applied for Scheduled Monument Consent to partially demolish the building, leaving just a metre high footprint.

Following this campaign, during which CADW had to extend the Consultation Period to deal with all the protests, the developers Charles Church (who took over Westbury Homes, and also responsibility for the monument) agreed to pay the cost of demolition, and CADW agreed to pay the difference (as a grant) between demolition and preservation so the building could be restored.

After two years of negotiations, in February this year Caerphilly County Borough Council agreed to take responsibility for the building (once restoration had been completed) and its future maintenance, with Charles Church agreeing to pay the cost for the next 25 years.

I have now learnt that Charles Church have placed the project on “hold”; since the agreement in February, Charles Church have not applied for Scheduled Monument Consent or the funding to carry out the work. The local community are very concerned at this development and are writing letters of concern to Charles Church, Caerphilly CBC and CADW. I have written on behalf of the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust. If any members of the list would like to express their concern over this latest situation would they please write to:-

Mr Robin Smith, Technical Director, Charles Church Wales, 34-37 Lambourne Crescent, Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5GG,

Mrs Pat Martin, Conservation Officer, Caerphilly Borough Council, Council Offices, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood , NP12 2YW ,

Ms H Bassett Jones, CADW, Plas Carew, Unit 5-7 Cefn Coed, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ.

It is rather ironic that the Bedwas and Trethomas Local History Society who have been most active in campaigning to save the Engine House, have been selected as a Regional Winner in the Nationwide (Building Society) Community and Heritage Awards scheme.

An excellent article was written by the late David Bick and published in the “Archive” magazine, Issue No 38, about this unique building.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Graham Levins

Secretary, Welsh Mines Preservation Trust
[email protected]
[email protected]
01293-510567
07880-817370

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Dear Members

Further to my last posting, I have now received a reply to my letter to Robin Smith the Technical Director of Charles Church Wales. In which he states:-

"I and my fellow Directors of Charles Church Wales remain committed to the scheme to consolidate and make safe the Bryngwyn Engine House. However, I would confirm that the works shall not be commencing during 2008, as it is now too late in the year to ensure the works can be carried out in suitable weather conditions.

I would confirm that it is Charles Church Wales intention to commence procurement for the works early in 2009, with an on site start anticipated May June 2009."

I will continue to keep the list updated with developments.

Best Wishes

Graham

Graham Levins
Secretary
Welsh Mines Preservation Trust
[email protected]
[email protected]
01293-510567
07880-817370

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