The Wentloog Road venue has been around for nearly 150 years but faces demolition after being sold during lockdown
ROMPNEY Castle pub is facing demolition after being sold to an architectural practice during lockdown.
Cardiff-based company Sunder Architects has proposed a development to turn the site into 26 one-bedroom flats.
It has applied to Cardiff Council for full planning permission.
But the plan is facing enormous opposition from members of the Rumney community.
Sammy Lou Rex from Wentloog Road said: “The pub is the focal point of Rumney.
“We were there most days; we would pop in after work. Even the younger generations went there.”
Cath Davies, 61, said: “It gives Rumney a good, iconic identity, and its demolition would change Rumney forever.”
Councillors Jaqueline Parry and Bob Derbyshire have also voiced their opposition to the proposed development.
“‘We’ve lost enough of our historic buildings in Rumney, we don’t want any more concrete boxes,” said Coun Parry.
Coun Derbyshire added: “‘It’s the heart of the old village. The priority (for me) is to get it back open as a public house.”
A petition has been created by members of the community to stop the development from happening.
It currently has 500 signatures and has the support of councillors Parry and Derbyshire.
Coun Derbyshire has also contacted Cadw to try and get the building listed.
“I’m in the process of trying to get it listed by Cadw, but I haven’t heard anything back from them yet.”
Jon Wilks, a director at Amity Planning, which is working for Sunder, said: “The existing building has been vacant for some time and there has been little interest in reopening as a public house.
“There is an evidenced need for new homes of all tenures across Cardiff, more than 2,000 new homes every year between 2006 and 2026.”
A worker at Sunder Architects who wanted to remain anonymous because of backlash from the community said: “The pub has been empty for years and it’s a nuisance. It just looks like any other old Harvester.”
But some members of the community have noted the importance of the building.
“It’s a historic building which is in a good useable condition,” said Cath Davies.
Coun Parry said: “I can remember this building from when I was a little kid, this is one of the buildings you remember because it’s so unusual.”
If you wish to sign the petition, details can be found here.
If you wish to contact Amity Planning regarding the developments, you can do so here.
