Plans to restore a historic building on Penarth's seafront have been given the go ahead. Vale of Glamorgan Council approved a planning application to restore the interior of Penarth Yacht Club on The Esplanade.
The proposal included plans to remove the false ceilings and ventilation ducts installed in the 1970s and 80s and restore the historic ceilings, beams and windows. The building itself dates back to the 1880s.
Also included in the planning application are plans to install insulation in the ceilings and replace lighting. Applicant and club member, Dr Daniel Griffith, said: "Most people are very positive about the prospect of seeing some of the historic details again.
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"The upper ceiling areas have a number of additional windows, which we are hoping will bring in additional natural light and natural ventilation and help us with our energy costs a bit. Some members are concerned understandably that it might cause us additional heating costs because opening up a bigger space means more space to heat, but that was the area we concentrated on the most with the Vale because we will insulate the old ceilings to current building standards."
A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) attached to the planning application says the restoration is needed due to the damaged state of the false ceilings and the deterioration of the original ceilings and beams. At the time of the plans being put forward, Dr Griffith said the false ceilings were in need of a change, adding the current ones had "well and truly reached the end of their life".
Dr Griffith said that although planning permission to begin the work has been granted, the real work starts now. "Everything comes with a price," he said.
"Raising the money for this is something we have to do separately. We are not able to pay for it within our existing club finances because we have just gone through two years of lockdown.
"We have survived all of that and we are doing well as a club. It will take a bit of effort to get it done, but we can start the planning of it now. I don't want to be quoted on timescales, but I would like to see it done within a couple of years.
"We just have to be realistic about how long it takes to raise the money and we are bound to uncover other issues that will need to be fixed at the same time. As with restoring any old building, we need to raise specific contingencies in case we find additional repairs to do."
Dr Griffith said the funding options that are being considered include internal fundraising and bidding for grants. The false ceilings and steel ventilation ducts being removed are in the main deck, quarterdeck and snooker room.
The HIA accepted the proposal would "cause some damage to the original fabric of the building" if approved, with the loss of limited areas of original lath and plaster. However, the areas proposed for removal are already damaged and, where possible, the plans permit retention of extensive areas of lath and plaster.
It is also hoped that exposing the original ceilings, beams and windows will allow them to be sympathetically restored. It is the first time these features will be made accessible in 40 years.
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