Public Event Showcases Proposed Plans for the Renewal of Insole Court House and Gardens

A public consultation will be held at Insole Court to give people the opportunity to view and learn about the proposed renewal plans for the historic house and gardens.

The two day open event will be held on Saturday 14, January and Sunday 15, January between 10 and 4pm.

During this time local residents and interested parties, can come along and view the proposed works.

Attendees are also invited to talk to the Insole Court Trustees, take a tour of the site and give their opinions for an ongoing survey.

Cardiff Council has supported the Insole Court Trust in securing a development grant of £165,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

This will enable the partnership to prepare plans for the next round of funding which could unlock a further HLF grant of £1.9m to allow the Trust to recognise their ambition to restore the Victorian mansion.

Proposed restoration plans include new amenities such as office accommodation, small workshop space and a café.

It is hoped the facility will become a centre for the community in the heart of Llandaff made up of a children’s nursery, a community hall and garden and a centre for older people.

Future plans also include heritage tours of the house and tower, and employment opportunities such as catering, heritage and office management.

It is hoped work will be completed by 2014 and will eventually boast an Interpretation Centre for the fascinating history linking Rhondda Steam Coal and the Bute Docks.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Cardiff Council continues to work with the Insole Court Trust and other associated parties to complete this process, which in time we hope will lead to an exciting new era for this important Cardiff landmark.”

Insole Court was built in 1856 by James Harvey Insole, who owned Cymmer Colliery in the Rhondda Valley.  The production of Rhondda Steam Coal, sold through his offices at Cardiff Docks, made the Insole family extremely wealthy, and the house grew to fit their status in society.

Three generations of the family lived at Insole Court until 1938, after the house and grounds were bought by Cardiff Council to enable the construction of Western Avenue.

Insole Court is now a centre for community activities, run by Cardiff Council.  Early in 2011 the opportunity arose to transfer the management of the Building and Grounds to the Insole Court Trust.

A BIG Lottery Fund grant is funding a Community Asset Transfer to enable this to happen, and to continue with the community involvement.

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