Drainage plan to stop 'deterioration' at castle

PLANS to overcome water damage at Cyfarthfa Park and its castle due to poor drainage have been submitted.

- ANTHONY LEWIS

Listed building consent is being sought for drainage works, which include the Grade II-listed park and the Grade I-listed castle.

It is proposed to install a new below-ground surface water drainage network to take water run-off away from the building to an existing Welsh Water connection at the south-east of Cyfarthfa Park

The castle is in a "significant state of deterioration", with multiple examples of water ingress throughout the structure, mainly attributed to poorly performing rainwater goods, gullies and flat roofs, the heritage statement submitted with the application said.

In 2022, a condition survey by Purcell and a structural survey identified the need to protect the building, and suggested a tented scaffold be erected to prevent further water ingress and associated deterioration, whilst giving the building the opportunity to dry out.

The heritage statement said a drainage solution will allow for the controlled discharge of rainwater from the scaffold.

It also provides the opportunity to develop a permanent solution with drainage issues running across the site.

Most drainage routes are historic, undersized and in poor or defective condition, according to a CCTV survey.

As a result, rainwater runs off the sloping land to the north of the castle and has entered the basement.