Fury over future of historic manor mothballed by council

THE decision to close a historic South Wales manor house has been branded a “retrograde step” amid ongoing uncertainty over the heritage site's future.

- NICHOLAS THOMAS

The Grade I-listed Llancaiach Fawr manor, near Nelson, has been “mothballed” and on the market since January, following a Caerphilly County Council cost-cutting decision to end its annual subsidy for the site.

The council's Plaid Cymru opposition group claimed there is “no sign” of the venue reopening “any time soon”.

Plaid said a council response to a Freedom of Information request showed that while 15 viewings had been arranged, no offers have been submitted to date.

“The closure was yet another flawed decision by the Labour cabinet, made against the opposition of the public and many councillors,” said Lindsay Whittle, who leads the Plaid group.