Insole Court: Llandaff celebration of renovation grant

Supporters of a Grade II listed Victorian mansion in Cardiff have held hands around it to celebrate a £761,724 grant to aid its restoration.

The Insole Court Trust (ICT) aims to raise £5m to restore the building.

The grant is part of a Community Asset Transfer (Cat) programme to help move the ownership of public land and buildings to the community.

Cardiff council is working with the trust to turn it into a community facility.

'Vital funding'

The grant will repair the stables for community and educational functions.

It will also be used to convert adjacent outbuildings into a visitors' centre and tea rooms, as well as help restore the gardens.

ICT chair Sir Norman Lloyd-Edwards paid tribute to the community involvement in the project.

Saturday's celebration was organised by the Friends of Insole Court, Insole Estate Residents' Association and Llandaff Society.

Councillor Huw Thomas, Cardiff council's cabinet member for sport, leisure and culture, said: "This event marks an important milestone for the future of Insole Court and gives the opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the success of the trust in securing vital funding."

The money comes from the Welsh government and the Big Lottery Fund.

Building on Insole Court began in the early 1850s by colliery owner James Harvey Insole. He extended and developed it over the years, including a tower based on the one at Cardiff Castle.

The trust is working on a second round Heritage Lottery Fund application for a £2.2m grant which it is due to submit this month.