Ruperra Castle: Risk to future of historic landmark

The future of a "special" landmark is uncertain after inspectors found it was at risk of collapse.

Ruperra Castle has been confirmed as one of the most at-risk listed buildings in Caerphilly county.

Inspectors found the privately-owned venue, near Draethen, was "structurally unsound" with "multiple failures".

They warned that the "loss" of the castle "may follow in [the] short-term".

A community organisation has been set up to preserve the landmark, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The castle was originally built in 1626 as a status symbol by Sir Thomas Morgan, said to be one of the most powerful men in Wales.

It burnt down in 1785 and was then rebuilt in its current style before being gutted by fire in 1941.

Several former collieries were also identified as at risk, but the council's strategy report stated that local authorities had limited powers when it came to preservation of private property.

The report added that it was only as a "last resort" that a local authority could take control of a derelict property.

The council will now liaise with the owner of Ruperra Castle, which is also a scheduled monument.

It said its new Buildings at Risk Register was "not intended to criticise an owner who fails to conserve their listed building in an appropriate manner".

Discussions will also take place with Welsh heritage organisation Cadw and the Ruperra Castle Preservation Trust, a volunteer group set up to try to protect the landmark.