Pen-y-fal site set to be designated as a conservation area by MCC
Abergavenny Chronicle - 13 February 2003
Described as one of the best examples in Wales of a19th century hospital, the premises of the former Monmouthshire mental hospital -
Pen-y-fal - are set to be designated as a conservation area by Monmouthshire County Council, reports Liz Davies.
At a meeting of the authorities planning committee on Tuesday, members voted to support designation which is seen as a
`prime means of recognising, protecting and enhancing the identity of places with special character`.
The area outlined for designation covers the site of the former Pen-y-fal hospital and also includes former staff accomodation
at Larchfield, the River Gavenny, The Mill and it`s sluices and the asylum`s cemetery where almost 1,300 inmates
(should be patients ? - editor@abergavenny.net) of the hospital were buried over a hundred year period.
Pen-y-fal hospital designed by Thomas Fulljames of Gloucester, was originally built as a lunatic asylum to serve the counties
of Monmouth, Hereford and Brecon & Radnor (Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Brecon & Radnorshire are counties - editor@abergavenny.net).
It opened in December 1851 and closed in 1992.
Eventually bought by Redrow homes, the site is now in the process of being developed, with the grade 2 listed hospital building being
converted into luxury apartments.
In addition to the main building, the conservation area designation will also cover the chapel, which dates from the 1880`s and the
octagonal shelters in teh grounds which date from the early 20th century.
A report presented to the councillors at Tuesdays meeting described the building as being of exceptional quality and one
of the best examples of its kind in Wales.
Although the main hospital, the lodge, chapel, 6 octagonal shelters, 1 rectangular shelter and the mill are already listed buildings,
it is hoped that the designation will preserve the `spaces between and around` the buildings and retaoin the
special character of the site.
Town Councillor Michael Pryce Williams, who has campaigned for the hospital`s cemetary to be marked, said he was
`delighted` by the committee`s decision.
He added that he was still hoping that the site of the cemetary could be acknowledged.
Councillor Pryce Williams said he was also pleased that the importance of the River Gavenny had been recognised.
"This is one of the prettiest stretches of the river, with waterfalls adnd unusual rock formations and is also known to ornithologists
for its rich birdlife, which includes dippers and kingfishers."
