‘This whole episode has been a shambles’: Whittle demands Llancaiach Fawr answers

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Llancaiach Fawr, a Tudor manor house in Nelson, is one of the jewels of Caerphilly County Borough.

It was mothballed in late 2024 in a cost cutting measure by the Labour-controlled council.

But what has happened since? Very little, it appears.

In January 2025 a company was appointed to market the landmark and the council said at the time a new operator would be found by April of that year.

Back in July 2025 we were told that a preferred bidder had been chosen subject to the completion of detailed lease agreements.

Fast forward to June 2026 and nothing has changed except we lost a summer season in 2025 and look like losing another in 2026.

This whole episode has been a shambles and I’ve previously mentioned my concern that this magnificent building will go to rack and ruin.

I can’t imagine another such historic monument being treated in the way Llancaiach Fawr has been.

There has been talk about a potential private operator but all we have had from Caerphilly Council is silence.

When I was leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly County Borough Council, I opposed its closure because I feared that it might never reopen. I’m still very worried. Even if it was to reopen, I wonder what damage will have been done to its structure.

This whole episode represents a major failure by local government and in particular the Labour councillors running Caerphilly Council. As far as I’m concerned they have let down the residents of this area who deserve an urgent statement on the future of Llancaiach. Not next week or next month, now.

‘Stalwarts’

Last month the Aber Valley Heritage Group laid flowers in memory of the 81 lives lost in the first disaster at Senghenydd 125 years ago in 1901.

The Memorial Garden continues to welcome volunteers and I want to praise the stalwarts who go there every single week. Where would Wales be without the dedication of volunteers?

After my election to the Senedd my own volunteering time is now limited to locking the garden every Sunday. The expanded constituency covering Rhymney and Blaenau Gwent, as well as Caerphilly, has meant the amount of correspondence from residents wanting to raise issues has increased significantly.

I’d also like to congratulate Pontygwindy Allotment Group on coming first in the best allotment category in a national competition. A tremendous achievement.