Public Inquiry for Ruperra Castle

The Planning Inspectorate has rescheduled the Planning Hearing for the Ruperra Castle appeal. The previous arrangements for an Informal Hearing have been cancelled. There will now be a Public Inquiry held on 21 April 2009 at 10 am at the Council Chamber, Ty Penallta. Tredomen, Ystrad Mynach

Lawrence Burr of Cadw has issued the following comment.

"PINS has rescheduled the date of the hearing (now
changed in status to a Public Inquiry) to 21 April 2009. Cadw will be
presenting a Statement to PINS about the significance of Ruperra and the
effect of the proposed development upon the monument, its surrounding
registered garden and the other designated assets on site - such as the
listed buildings and conservation area. This will be to help guide the
Inspector's assessment of the planning application. I cannot of course
speculate as to the Inquiry's findings but Cadw's contribution - and that of
others too I am sure - will help to provide the Inspector with a full
understanding of the monument and its significance."

More information will be pasted as soon as it comes in.

Appeal set for November 11 2008

As most people will know, Mr Barakat has appealed against the refusal of the County Councillors to permit housing development at the Castle.

The deadline for writing in to support the councillors’ decision was August 13th. Many people have said that they achieved this and there has been a move to ask the Planning Inspectorate to hold a Public Inquiry instead of a Public Hearing. Hearings often deal with a subject in a day or even a morning which in some people's opinion is not felt to be good enough for a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Listed Building of Ruperra’s importance. This is particularly not good enough when the owner took so long to prepare his application and neglected and damaged the buildings in the meantime without making any repairs during his ten years of ownership.

The Hearing is set for November 11. If the Inspector decides to call an Inquiry, the date may be changed. Information will be posted on the weblog www.ruperracastle.blogspot.com The letters that have been sent in to the Planning Inspectorate will be available for public viewing in due course at the Council Offices in Pontllanfraith.