It has been a long time in arriving but at last the green light has been given for an ambitious and extensive redevelopment plan at Harlech Castle in Gwynedd, North Wales. The Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) planning committee carried out a site visit before approving the plans with conditions.
Included in the plans will be the turning of the ground floor of the former Castle Hotel into a visitor centre and also the conversion of the upper floors into five self-contained visitor apartments. There will be the creation of a new café, together with a new more accessible bridge from the visitor centre to the castle.
Whilst the castle currently attracts about 93,000 visitors a year, it is projected that the new development will increase that number to about 145,000 visitors. The conditions that SNPA stipulated parking for the disabled, non-reflective glass and potential noise for the electricity sub-station.
 |
| Harlech Castle |
Cllr Caerwyn Roberts, who represents Harlech on Gwynedd Council, pointed out Cadw was putting about £6-million in the project. He added: “The project is a good opportunity for better interpretation of the castle and the history and the new bridge to the castle will make it accessible to everyone.”
Harlech Castle was built by Edward I between 1282 and 1289 as one of a series of coastal castle to help tame the rather rough and rebellious local Welsh Princes. It was at one time the home of Owen Glyndwr, which serves to prove how unsuccessful that part of its history was, but also had an involvement in the War of the Roses and the English Civil War. It held out for Charles I and was the last castle to surrender to the Parliamentary forces.
It is considered by UNESCO to be one of "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe", and it is classed as a World Heritage Site. Its popularity helps to prove that Edward I was probably the greatest ambassador for the Welsh tourist industry who ever lived, although it is unlikely that he knew it at the time!
No comments:
Post a Comment