Future of bunker that was built in case of a nuclear attack by Russia to be decided by local residents
A COLD war bunker in Llandaff due to be sold at auction next week has been taken off the market in the hope that it can be used to benefit the community.
The Vaughan Avenue building was due to be sold for over £45,000 through Seel and Co but was removed from the market yesterday and will instead be offered to The Insole Court Trust.
The bunker was built in 1956 in case of a nuclear attack from Russia and remained operational until 1968 when the Civil Defence Corp that was stationed there was disbanded.
Included in the 2,000 square foot six-room complex is an office, control room plus sleeping and living accommodation.
“I am pleased this is now withdrawn from sale. Hopefully @insolecourt can make plans to decide it’s long term future within the Insole Trust Estate.” Tweeted Llandaff Councillor Sean Driscoll.
Cardiff Council has confirmed that the bunker is no longer on the market as they are working on a deal. “Friends of Insole Court have been given a period of time to bring forward a proposal to us,” said a spokesperson.
The Insole Court Trust, which is a charity, works to restore and preserve the Insole Court mansion and gardens – which surround the bunker – for the public.
In 2016 they took ownership of Insole Court from Cardiff Council through a long-term lease as part of the Community Asset Transfer scheme.
The bunker was due to be sold in line with Cardiff Council’s property strategy to reduce the number of buildings they manage to reduce running and maintenance costs.
Llandaff Society Chairman Geoffrey Barton-Greenwood said that the deal would allow the bunker to be kept to benefit the community. However, when asked how this was likely to be done he said that “it’s far too early to say”.
“We’d like to see the outside structure preserved because it’s so discreet,” he said, and expressed that he had had concerns about the site being auctioned due to the possibility of an obtrusive building taking its place.
The cold war bunker was built in 1956 as the western control centre for the Civil Defence Corps during the Cold War and was used for this purpose until 1968.
It was then run by Cardiff civil defence volunteers until 1984.
“It was not a nuclear bunker in the sense of being nuclear bomb-proof” said Mr Barton-Greenwood. “It would have been used in order to supply efforts of civil volunteers in the event of a nuclear attack.”
From 1984 until 1991 it was mainly used for storage. However, it has since been looted and fallen into disrepair.
