Controversial proposals to demolish a historic pub have been rejected. Cardiff Council said the scheme to replace Rumney's Rompney Castle with flats was "unacceptable".
Developer Sudhir Sehrawat applied to build 26 flats, a shop, and parking court on the site of the pub which closed down during the Covid lockdown. Some 1,094 people signed a petition to save the Wentloog Road watering hole, which was built in 1871 and features a mock-medieval tower.
And council planners have now refused the application, finding the "overbearing" and "un-neighbourly" design would cause "unacceptable harm" to the privacy of nearby households. "The proposed development requires the demolition of a historic building of some character, that is of considerable significance to the local community," the decision reads.
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In a statement on Facebook, Rumney councillors Jacqueline Parry and Bob Derbyshire welcomed the refusal of "an overdevelopment of flats which no one wants or needs". They wrote it is "difficult to tell" what will happen next, adding: "[It] will depend on the developer and whether they put in a revised application. Any application can only be refused on planning law grounds — no matter what we residents think of the proposals."
The campaign to save the pub had looked to be in doubt earlier this year, when the Welsh Government's historic environment service Cadw decided not to give the stone building the protection of a listing. Cadw said at the time that "only the very best of our nation’s historic buildings are protected" and Rompney Castle's value was "limited" by its uPVC windows and modern interior.
The developer's proposals were for 10 one-bedroom flats and 16 two-bedroom flats as well as a 172sqm shop. The design and access statement did not give a figure for affordable homes. Some 239 comments — all objections — were submitted on the planning application, many raising the issues of traffic and the loss of community space. Martin Thomas argued the "very busy" Wentloog Road "certainly doesn't need any more traffic" while Cathy Lee wrote: "I totally object to this ridiculous idea... Start seeing the beauty around you before it's too late."
Nicole Sutton commented: "I have plans in my possession that show the Rompney Castle as a main part of the old Rumney which stood on Parish Road before it was renamed to Wentloog Road. Surely it makes more sense to refurbish this historic part of old Rumney and use as something for the community, such as a medical centre and hub."
The application said the development would feature protruding window bays in dark grey cladding, "buff brickwork panels", and "large deep windows" to replicate the Victorian style. "It is considered that the scale and type of development is entirely appropriate and that it would have no negative impact on the amenity of nearby dwellings," the statement read. "The site has been inclusively designed to ensure accessibility for persons with differing needs including specifically designed level accesses to each dwelling, different colour ground covering, level thresholds and circulation areas within each dwelling."
WalesOnline has approached the developer for comment on the council's decision. You can read more of the latest Cardiff news here.
