Boundary wall and entrance changes at Ruperra Castle Estate Rudry Road To Craig Llan, Rudry

“Description and Location of Development: Widen south drive entrance and the formation of new openings in northern and southern parts of the boundary wall - Ruperra Castle Estate Rudry Road To Craig Llan Rudry…”

“Development: Widen south drive entrance and the formation of new openings in northern and southern parts of the boundary wall.”

“The site is located in the open countryside approximately seven miles to the north east of Cardiff and also approximately seven miles to the west of Newport. The nearest settlement to it is Draethen village which is located to the north, at a distance of just over half of mile. The site is bounded in all directions by undeveloped land. To the north is woodland, with the land to the east, west and south being open fields.”

“Site description: The proposals lie within the grounds of Ruperra Castle, which is a scheduled ancient monument, a grade II* listed building and within a site where there are other (Grade II) listed buildings and curtilage buildings, this site being delineated by a random rubble stone boundary wall.”

“23/0815/COND - Discharge condition 03 (Listed Building - re-use of materials from) and 04 (Listed Building - roof tiles) of planning consent 19/0788/LBC (Carry out conservation repairs to the Former Dairy and Laundry (The Bothy) and change the use of the Stables and Coach House building to a mixed use of 7 No. new residential units and stables) - Decided 24.01.2024.”

“23/0796/COND - Discharge Conditions 03 (Listed Building - re-use of materials from), 04 (Listed Building - roof tiles), 05 (stables), 06 (Landscape and Ecological Management Plan), 07 (Drainage), 09 (Building record), 10 (archeological interest), 11 (Revised Landscaping), 12 (Maintenance - management plan) and 13 (Boundary treatments) of planning consent 19/0787/COU (Carry out conservation repairs to the Former Dairy and Laundry (The Bothy) and change the use of the Stables…”

“The principal justification for the proposed works lies in the need to facilitate the ongoing and future conservation, stabilisation and repair of Ruperra Castle and its associated listed buildings. The widening of the South Drive entrance would enable access for construction vehicles, cranes and specialist equipment required to deliver grant-funded investigations and essential conservation works.”

“The creation of new pedestrian openings in the boundary wall is proposed in association with a potential future diversion of a Public Right of Way. As the diversion has not been confirmed it therefore attracts limited weight as a public benefit at this stage. Notwithstanding this, the pedestrian openings themselves are considered acceptable in heritage terms in their own right.”

“Ruperra Castle Preservation Trust - Raise concern over Heritage Impact assessment, trees, public right of way, decision would be premature in respect of diversion of the public right of way.”

“Rights Of Way Officer - The granting of consent as requested would not affect the public right of way (which is currently obstructed at various points), but would enable a potential solution to provide public access to the grounds of Ruperra Castle, via a safer alternative route. Given the planning process and the public right of way matters are separate, whether the planning application is premature or not might be considered irrelevant.”

“Response: Six representations have been received. A local ward member has requested that the application be brought before committee.”

“- Impact on Public Right of Way and the Rhymney River circular walk. - Would decrease views of the castle. - Restrict accessibility width at the entrance points including accessibility for mobility scooters. - Premature to a possible footpath diversion, issues with proposed diversion route. - Planning Policy Wales advises the planning system must protect the provision of green infrastructure.”

“The Planning Case Officer presented the application and updated members on representations received following completion of the report, with it confirmed in the accompanying report that the recommendation in respect of the proposal had taken full account of, and was in conformity with, both Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales Edition 12.”

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 12 For, 0 Against and 1 Abstention) this was agreed by the majority present.”

“(i) Subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

“The applicant is reminded that it is an offence to obstruct a public right of way. There are three public rights of way in the area of this application, one of which, Footpath 1 Llanfedw, is obstructed. The planning permission does not authorise the stopping up or diversion of the public rights of way.”

“02) The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents: - Location Plan, drawing reference AL.0.01 revision C; - Proposed: North Boundary Wall Plan and Elevations, drawing reference AL.NG.111; - Proposed: South Drive Entrance - Plan and Elevations, drawing reference AL.SG.110 rev C; REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out only as approved by the Local Planning Authority.”

“07) Full details of all gates, ironmongery, finishes and automation equipment, including fixing methods and below-ground elements, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to installation. REASON: To preserve the special interest of the listed building in accordance with the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023.”