Page last updated at 13:41 GMT, Thursday, 27 August 2009 14:41 UK

Campaign to save historic mansion

Plas Dulas
Parts of Plas Dulas date back to the 18th Century

Local residents, historical groups and botanists have raised objections at a meeting about a new housing development on the site of a 160-year-old mansion.

Developers want planning permission to knock down Plas Dulas, in Llanddulas, Conwy, and build 29 affordable homes.

But campaigners who attended the meeting in Llanddulas village hall want the building to be preserved.

Plas Dulas owner Alex Davies has submitted the plans to Conwy council and could begin building next year.

At the meeting, which was attended by around 70 people, Mr Davies was urged to preserve the building instead of knocking it down because it was part of the character and history of the area.

Residents said they were worried about the impact extra traffic would have on the village which was "already suffering with congestion problems".

Mr Davies was also asked how he would deal with the bats that are resident in Plas Dulas. He replied that he would turn one of the outbuildings into a bat haven.

The house has social value as it is of considerable interest to the local community
Kristian Kaminski, The Victorian Society

A retired botanist also emphasised the mansion's gardens, saying they had a rare Greek influence and evidence of this could still be seen.

Llanddulas community councillor Pamela Jenkins said: "Quite a few of us are concerned at the proposed demolition of Plas Dulas.

"It has been empty for some years so we do take that on board but it appears there is a chance of saving the building and finding a use for it - perhaps as a hotel.

"It is quite a special building. It is not that we are opposed to modern developments but we don't want to see the older, special buildings disappear."

The Victorian Society, which champions Victorian and Edwardian buildings, has written to Conwy council's head of planning services to object to the plans and recommend that a building preservation notice is served.

Conservation adviser Kristian Kaminski said: "Plas Dulas... is a good example of a substantial residence, of over 60 rooms, which is rare in retaining its historic context and estate setting of extensive grounds, lodge and walled garden.

We believe that the present use of Plas Dulas as a derelict building has limited benefit to the community
Alex Davies

"Plas Dulas is of interest for its associations with important historical and literary figures.

"The house has social value as it is of considerable interest to the local community."

At the meeting, owner Mr Davies said he aimed to begin building work next year.

He said he estimated the construction would take around three years.

'Benefit'

"We believe the development will be of great benefit to the village as it will provide 29 low-cost two and three-bedroom homes as well as providing open space for the community," he said.

"We are also proposing to widen Pencoed Road and provide a footpath so that children from the top of Llanddulas will be able to walk safely to the school along a designated footpath for the first time.

"The use of this land at Plas Dulas for development will reduce the amount of agricultural land required for housing.

"We believe that the present use of Plas Dulas as a derelict building has limited benefit to the community, whereas a footpath and road widening scheme is urgently required and would be of substantial benefit to the community."

Parts of Plas Dulas date back to the 18th Century but the main house was created by Elizabeth Easthope, the daughter of the owner of the Morning Chronicle, in the 1840s.



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