Did the developer think renovations of grade 2 listed former stable block was the cost which would make the scheme non-viable as with an alternative entrance to the former Blaengwawr School site?
The advertisement says Land for sale
Heol Ty Aberaman, Aberaman, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF44
So what so surprising about this plot of land in Aberaman advertised for sale by Bidmead Cook & Williams, Aberdare with planning permission details available online at RCT website quoting planning reference 19/1013/12.
Developer Mr Matthew Davies of Davies Homes applied for planning permission on the 18th September 2019 what appears to be a separate application to the Aberaman House development next to the Abercwmboi Rugby Club as described as the development is in a semi-rural position at Aberdare.
The question is why when the developer was on site did he not proceed with the renovations of the grade 2 listed former stable block belonging to Aberaman House? The addendum to design and access Statement incorporating a Statement of Historic Significance.
The addendum provides an update to the Statement of Historic Significance that was written in 2013 for the conversion of a former stable block to 5 houses. Both planning and listed building consent were granted at this time; the planning permission also included the construction of 32 houses. Together, the listed building and these houses constituted phase 2 of the overall development at Aberaman. Was the renovation of the former stable block part of the agreement of the development? Only Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will know the answer to that.
So who is going to purchase a derelict grade 2 stable blocks that will cost many thousands of pounds to convert into 5 dwellings? Will this turn out to be another blot on the landscape, why did the original developer allowed walk away to leave the site unfinished? Was the cost of renovation to high and no profit for the developer?
This is the same developer, who is developing the former Blaengwawr Comprehensive School Site the site is now described as,
“Beautiful Cwm Heulwen sits on the edge of the countryside, bordered on one side by the pretty Nant Gwawr river. It’s a peaceful area with Blaengwawr Primary School at its heart. You’ll also find a local store, pub and take-away just a few minutes’ walk away. The joy of this location lies its beauty, its convenience and the wealth of activities available in the surrounding area.”
The Nant Gwawr River that has had well over a million pound of taxpayers’ money spent on it to assist with surface water discharge from the new development, taxpayers’ stump up £100,000 for works to widen the carriageway at Club Street the approach road to the site, taxpayers’ money to remove asbestos and demolish Blaengwawr Comprehensive School. All this taxpayers’ money is adding up, and all this plus a land survey by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council before the developer starts on the site.
Four exit routes were explored including through Maesyffynon Lane, Maesyffynon Grove and Lane, access direct to Cardiff Road and via Gwawr Street,
but Davies Homes highlighted the cost of the options, some of which could be as much as £660,000, which would make the scheme non-viable.
So now we look back and see the problem of developing the grade 2 listed former stable block and why when the developer was on site did he not proceed with the renovations of grade 2 listed former stable block was the cost, which would make the scheme non-viable?
Photograph by https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300080700-former-stable-and-barn-range-at-ty-aberaman-aberaman#.YIhR52RKiX0