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Crumlin colliery transformation now 'unlikely' (From South Wales Argus)
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Crumlin colliery transformation now 'unlikely'
2:20pm Friday 17th April 2009
THE owners of an historic colliery site say they are now "extremely pessimistic" about whether a plan to save its landmark building and transform an eyesore site into flats will now go ahead.
The Navigation Colliery, a Grade II listed building in Crumlin, was the subject of a proposed development by Bristol-based Edward Ware Homes.
The company was planning a £25million investment, turning one of Wales’ most important post-industrial buildings into 120 homes, ranging from one bedroom to four bedroom flats.
But financial difficulties meant the firm entered into a voluntary agreement with creditors, and the Crumlin scheme was put on hold.
But Jack Hanbury, manager of Pontypool Park Estates which owns the five-acre site, said he has now not heard from Edward Ware Homes for a year.
"I am extremely pessimistic that it is going ahead. I have not had any confirmation from them that this is the case," said Mr Hanbury.
"Obviously we would welcome anyone to come forward who would be interested in developing one of Wales’ most important buildings.
"No-one would allow Caerphilly Castle to crumble down but people seem quite relaxed that Navigation Colliery, one of the most important buildings in the last 150 years and in Wales, is in such a state."
The 100 year-old pithead buildings have stood largely untouched for over 30 years and Pontypool Park Estates have spent £750,000 on its upkeep during that time.
Cllr Vera Jenkins blamed the latest setback on the current economic crisis.
"It’s extremely disappointing news and unlikely that the developers will go ahead with the proposals," said Cllr Jenkins.
"It is a local landmark and desperately in need of regenerating and there has been a long-standing campaign to safeguard its future," added Cllr Jenkins.
A spokeswoman for Edward Ware Homes said: "Edward Ware Homes has entered into a creditors voluntary agreement and are not able to comment any further."
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Your Say YourGwent
gingertom, says...
9:39pm Fri 17 Apr 09
Daz Mondeo, says...
9:53pm Fri 17 Apr 09
Wales and the UK as a whole has over the centuries been at the epicenter of coal, oil, gas, iron, steel, rail, innovation and technology - but has little or any prosperity to show for it!
When you can see that the middle east has become so rich from just one commodity (oil), and other nations have prospered from duplicating what was once achieved in the UK, it makes you wonder where it all went wrong over here.
The sad and all too real fact is, is that the hard work and innovation showed in this nation by the many over the years, has been squandered by the few in Westminster and the like, whose only agenda is to finance by any means their extremely privileged (and all too infrequently) ghastly lifestyles.
Daz Mondeo, says...
10:07pm Fri 17 Apr 09
Daz Mondeo, says...
10:14pm Fri 17 Apr 09
It is an absolute disgrace that this building should be in such a state. The fact that the local Plaid councillor blames the current economical crisis is a reflection of her and Plaids (plus other political parties) narrow mindedness when it comes to this situation - let us not forget that this structure is 100 years old!!!
Wales and the UK as a whole has over the centuries been at the epicenter of coal, oil, gas, iron, steel, rail, innovation and technology - but has little or any prosperity to show for it!
When you can see that the middle east has become so rich from just one commodity (oil), and other nations have prospered from duplicating what was once achieved in the UK, it makes you wonder where it all went wrong over here.
The sad and all too real fact is, is that the hard work and innovation showed in this nation by the many over the years, has been squandered by the few in Westminster and the like, whose only agenda is to finance by any means their extremely privileged (and all too frequently) ghastly lifestyles.
gingertom, says...
5:52pm Sat 18 Apr 09
STALLED: The Navigation Colliery building in Crumlin
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ashleynewport, Casnewydd-yr-wysg says...
3:08pm Fri 17 Apr 09
While it lays empty and dormant the buildings are decaying, and without even setting foot in there, you can see its demise from the road side.
Caerphilly Council should be utilising their powers upon Pontypool Park Estates.