Sale of £1.2m mansion postponed after backlash

Plas Tan y Bwlch was put up for sale for £1.2m earlier this year

The sale of one of the grandest mansions in Wales has been postponed following public backlash.

Plas Tan y Bwlch, a 30-bedroom listed building near Blaenau Ffestiniog, was built in the 19th Century for the wealthy Oakeley family, who owned slate quarries nearby.

It is now owned by the national park authority in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, which put it up for sale earlier this year, saying it could no longer afford to run the building as a study centre.

On Wednesday, the park authority said that the sale will be postponed until November to allow further discussions with the community and potential bidders.

People living nearby are worried that if the land falls into private hands, they'll lose access to nearby woodland

The acting chief executive, Iwan Jones, said that the park authority had received "a number of enquiries" for the mansion but that a spend of £3m was needed on the building over the next 10 years.

He confirmed there had been discussions with one community company but had been advised that marketing the mansion and gardens as a single site would be most appropriate.

Mr Jones added the Plas currently costs £250,000 a year to run, but emphasised that "nothing has been decided" thus far.

Despite local concerns over the handling of the sale, details of one bidder were being kept secret before the meeting, and the decision to postpone was taken behind closed doors.

About 20 members of the public, some carrying signs, stood outside the meeting opposing the plans.

They are worried that if Plas Tan y Bwlch is sold to a private company, then that would mean people would not be able to access the 59 acres of ancient woodland which surrounds the house and is classified as a site of special scientific interest.

Llinos Alun, who lives nearby, has been helping to organise a campaign for the community to be more involved in the changes.

"The local community have been shocked to see Plas Tan y Bwlch and its land put up for sale in recent weeks for £1.2m," she said.

"Many of us are asking how a public asset, funded by public money, can be put up for sale without any consultation with local communities.

"Plas Tan y Bwlch was built with the profits of the slate industry, generated by the hard work of thousands of local men and families.

"We're also worried that the woodland and paths near Llyn Mair and Hafod y Llyn are at risk of falling into private hands and access restricted."

The mansion was rebuilt in the 19th century and still has many features from that time

Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he would like to see a public meeting held soon to allow the public to express their views on the future of the Plas.

While the local county councillor, Elfed Powell Roberts, offered to chair the said meeting.

Authority member Tim Jones conceded "communication could have been better".

This was backed by members, as they said it would allow locals to understand the financial challenges facing the authority.

The national park authority in Eryri acquired the building in 1968 and has run it as a study centre offering courses for schools and the wider public.

Plas Tan y Bwlch retains many of the original features from when it was rebuilt by the Oakeley family in 1872 including a grand staircase, wood panelled rooms and landscaped gardens.

The national park authority said public consultation had been limited due to the "sensitive nature" of legal discussions but said it had "listened to the public and community concerns".

Edgar Wyn Owen, the authority’s chairman, said: "This is a significant decision for the authority... we have agreed that every option will be evaluated and that we will engage with the community and work closely with potential buyers to make the right decision for this historic property."