Grade II listed boundary wall that surrounds Gwrych castle 'damaged'

A councillor and member of a planning committee has denied claims he damaged a section of a Grade II listed boundary wall which forms the parkland that surrounds Gwrych Castle near Abergele. 

A concerned resident claims he witnessed cllr Andrew Wood, who represents Gele and Llanddulas on Conwy County Borough Council, carrying out "demolition" on Saturday, February 18. 

However, Cllr Wood said that was not why he was at the location.

He explained the wall had previously been damaged by a third-party vehicle and was loose and unsafe and "had tumbled into the field".

He added that he has tasked stonemasons to repair the wall in question.

But the resident, who we have chosen not to name, claimed: "Significant damage has been made to the section of the Grade II listed boundary wall for I'm A Celebrity's Gwrych Castle.

"We were shocked to witness on Saturday planning committee member and owner of the land, Conwy County Councillor Andrew Wood, carrying out the demolition.

The neighbour alledges he witnessed cllr Andrew Wood carrying out the demolition. He saw vehicles stating the name 'Woods'. (Image: Submitted by reader)

"This has been done without permission and has damaged a section of 200-year-old historic walling which forms part of the Grade II listed parkland that surrounds Gwrych Castle.  

"We walked over to find part of the wall demolished and trenches dug into the listed parkland."

Another nearby resident said many in the area were against the redevelopment plan.

They said: "We all opposed his inappropriate development as we live opposite the land on Eldon Drive." 

Cllr Wood had submitted a planning application to create communal allotments on land next to Manorafon Farm Llanddulas Road.

This was for 31 half allotments and 16 full allotments all with their own sheds, three of which will be accessible allotments with raised beds and planting areas. 

To support the scheme a communal building was proposed along with a toilet and separate machinery and storage shed.  

Two campervan pitches along with a toilet and shower block are set to be built to to "assist in financially supporting the upkeep of the allotments over the years" and four separate allotments and a larger shed at the far end of the site. 

The plans received strong opposition from residents on Eldon Drive.

The application has since been withdrawn but cllr Wood has now confirmed will be re-lodging the application on Friday, February 24. 

He said: "A re-application will go in this Friday (February 24) after some minor changes for a slightly bigger scheme, and historic planting of 40 native trees and hedges for screening purposes.

"The wall [the listed Grade II wall] has been previously extensively damaged by a third party vehicle and was all loose unsafe and had tumbled into the field, which can be seen in previous photos.

"The new water connection required for the small holding from the main road has to go under the road and under the wall.

"The 750 mm trench required by statute by Dwr Cymru for the underground supply was excavated by a professional contractor on Saturday. He deemed the wall to be very unsafe and had been undermined and condemned it, and that it could be a danger to the public due to the weight of the stones. To be ensure safety, the walls stone components were left on the grassed area where they could not fall.

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Photo taken over the weekend. (Image: Submitted by reader)

"We have booked a stonemasons team for Monday 20 March to take the wall back to the two-metre original height in line of the repair needed.

"We have informed CADW of the repair in December 2022 they were happy with the planned repair and reinstatement of the wall."

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A spokesperson for Gwrych Castle, which was used for ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! is 2020 and 2021, said: We share concerns with residents that part of the listed boundary wall has been damaged. We’re not aware of the full circumstances surrounding the wall being damaged at this stage."

The Latham family also made a comment.

In a short statement, they said: "Our family have owned Abergele Gate Lodge since 1946, which neighbours Cllr Wood's land, and we are shocked to see the park wall damaged."

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: "Planning Services look into any such concerns that are submitted to them, and valid complaints will always be investigated as a matter of course."