Famous Grand Designs house near cliff edge 'at risk' after landslip

THE owners of a “landmark” award winning house that sits atop a crumbling Criccieth cliff are seeking permission to save it from a landslide and erosion.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON Local Democracy Reporter

A planning application has been submitted to Cyngor Gwynedd by the owners of Cefn Castell, near Llanystumdwy seeking permission to carry out cliff stabilisation work.

‘The work is needed following a landslip due to water from a land drain as well as natural erosion.

“ significant landslip occurred in February, 2024, adjacent to the building’s entrance gates” plans say.

“This was caused by a land drain on land beyond the curtilage of Cefn Castell that had been draining water directly onto the cliff face over a long period”

It caused an “immediate threat” to the stability of the entrance to the house with the boundary wall now overhanging the cliff.

‘The coastal path below was also put at risk. Plans say enquiries failed to establish the ownership of the drain and the issue remains unresolved.

But urgent remedial action is now required to secure the entranceway to the house and the adjacent Welsh Coastal Path.

The application notes the cliff face at Cefn Castell is “prone to erosion and rockfalls” which poses “potential risk to the property, the coastline, and public safety”.