Decision was right; YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES
0 Comments | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), July 17, 2010
SIR – When I saw your front page photo of the dilapidated Little Bulmore Farmhouse, (July 9) my initial reaction was to agree with Sir Terry Matthews and others who consider it an eyesore in need of removal.
But on reflection, I find myself siding with the great majority on Newport planning committee.
Sir Terry asks: “What could the world possibly think of Wales with such a junk site overlooking the 18th hole?” I believe it’s more likely to be wondering why a multi-millionaire has lacked the vision to restore an early 17th century farmhouse (whose origins may well date back to Roman times) and not yet made an attractive feature out of it.
He’s had plenty of time, but obviously he was banking on being allowed to remove it. Now he’s had the decision he wasn’t expecting, he threatens to take his ball away to Cardiff or Swansea.
We need to ask whether it’s worth sacrificing or re-locating something of such historical significance, for fear of what visitors to a fleeting sporting event may think; and I’m convinced it’s not.
There is still time to remove the really unsightly parts of the building – the breeze block extensions – in preparation to make a start on restoring the original building.
Talking about eyesores, there are very many who believe that the Celtic Manor Resort – occupying the prominent position that it does – is more of an eyesore than any dilapidated old farmhouse could ever be. R H ASHTON Pengam, Blackwood
