Councillors’ anger at Celtic Manor farmhouse saga (From South Wales Argus)

Councillors’ anger at Celtic Manor farmhouse saga

12:30pm Thursday 12th August 2010 in Celtic Manor row

COUNCILLORS who turned down the Celtic Manor’s attempt to move the Little Bulmore Farmhouse expressed their anger over the way the matter was handled.

At Newport council's Planning committee meeting yesterday, Cllr John Richards asked officers to explain what had happened at the site since the committee decided to block the resort’s attempt to move the building.

Demolition work has started on the modern breezeblock extension to the listed building, which the resort wanted to move as it overlooks the final hole of the golf course for the Ryder Cup.

The clearance will be complete before the Ryder Cup begins in October.

At the meeting, Cllr Richards said the committee was advised it was impossible to remove the modern extension.

Cllr Bob Poole added that if this option was offered, the committee’s decision may have been different.

“I think the majority of the planning committee would have gone for that option if we were offered it,” he said.

Cllr Val Smith asked why the matter wasn’t brought back to the committee to be discussed.

Planning officer Mark Hand said listed building consent is not required if the work to be done will not affect the architectural importance of the building.