Building work has already begun to turn a historic pub into a five-bedroom family home – without planning permission.
The Fwrrwm Ishta, on Commercial Road, Machen, closed its doors last year after landlord Niall Walshe was forced to quit over what he said was the poor state of the building.
In August a planning application by Jay Pannu of Newport was submitted to turn the pub into a family home.
Some of the great names of Welsh rugby, such as Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams, used to drink at the pub and it was the original home of Machen RFC when it was founded in 1871.
Cllr Derek Harvard, who represents the Bedwas Trethomas and Machen ward, said: “It’s a great shame. The Fwrrwm Ishta is very old and it was the centre of the community in its day.”
Residents had set up a petition and a Facebook page to try and help save the pub.
On resident said: “Local residents feel that our local history is being destroyed with the council showing no interest.”
Another, who also did not want to be named, said: “It’s a shame to see it go as a pub – there’s a lot of history there.
“Unfortunately there is not a lot we can do about it really.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: “At this stage the application is still pending consideration.
“A petition objecting to the scheme has been received. The application will be reported to planning committee on November 27 at the earliest.
“The next committee is on January 15.
“Our planning enforcement team are also currently investigating the site.”
what a sad sight to see yet another community landmark lost i am from penyrheol but i visited the Fwrrwm Ishta many times. i passed there last week while on my way to newport and could not believe to see the pub as it is.
How can the council allow this to happen to the history of the village
They have done this work so far WITHOUT PLANNING ,I understand they have applied but NOT been given the go ahead as yet.
I wonder what will happen now? I've seen cases in the past where they are made to restore the building to its original state and even when building a extension without planning they have been made to knock it down.