Historic Brecon care home extension withdrawn over heritage concerns
London‑based Hapus Care Group lodged full planning applications with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA) in March, seeking permission for a single‑storey rear extension that would add ten…
A 10‑bedroom extension to the Grade II* listed Morgannwg House care home in Brecon has been withdrawn after heritage officers raised fresh concerns over the impact on the historic building and its garden.
London‑based Hapus Care Group lodged full planning applications with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA) in March, seeking permission for a single‑storey rear extension that would add ten en‑suite bedrooms and extra communal space to the 20‑room facility.
The proposal, prepared by planning agent Mark Heyes of 5373 Design + Planning, argued that the new wing was essential for the home’s economic viability, noting that previous owners had struggled to keep the house fully occupied.
Heyes had previously highlighted an extension built in the 1990s and a now‑expired conversion of the old gymnasium as precedents for expanding the site.
However, BBNPA’s senior heritage officer Cyllene Griffiths issued an updated report this month, stating that “previous concerns” had not been properly addressed.
“The revised information provides insufficient detail.” This is simply not the standard required nor sufficient information for a major development in such a sensitive heritage location and it is disappointing that the applicant has not taken into account the detailed advice provided and amended the scheme accordingly.
The garden setting positively contributes to an understanding of and the significance of the Grade II* Listed Building and other designated assets in the area, it is therefore desirable to preserve it.
Griffiths concluded that the scheme should be refused, arguing that the garden’s historic contribution could not be justified by the proposed works.
Heyes responded with surprise, saying: “It was with some surprise that we discovered the heritage officer’s response as we had thought that there was some sympathy for this approach.” He requested a meeting with BBNPA to clarify whether the objection was to the design or the principle of the development.
Following discussions, Heyes withdrew the application, indicating that the care home would explore alternative proposals that respect the heritage setting.
He added that a pre‑application submission would be made to re‑configure the earlier 1990s extension and the former gymnasium, aiming to improve the home’s capacity without compromising the listed building’s character.
Morgannwg House, erected in the 19th century for a local solicitor and his family, received its Grade II* listing in 1952 for its architectural and cultural significance.
Over the decades the house has served as a convent school before being split and converted into a residential care facility, retaining much of its original fabric and surrounding garden.
The BBNPA, which oversees planning within the Brecon Beacons National Park, is tasked with balancing development needs against the protection of historic assets, a tension evident in this case.
Local residents have long valued the house’s garden as a visual anchor in the town centre, and heritage groups have previously warned that unsympathetic alterations could erode the area’s historic ambience.
While the withdrawal halts the immediate expansion, Hapus Care Group has signalled its intention to submit revised plans that incorporate the detailed heritage advice.
The outcome underscores the rigorous scrutiny applied to developments affecting listed buildings in Wales, particularly where the surrounding landscape contributes to the site’s significance.
Planning applicants are reminded that the Public Notice Portal remains the primary source for up‑to‑date information on proposals affecting the community.