Levelling Up Fund: Nantclwyd y Dre

Project background

Nantclwyd y Dre is a Grade 1 listed medieval townhouse of national significance and is one of the oldest dated timber-framed townhouses in Wales. In 2006, a capital project to restore the site was undertaken, which enabled the opening of the main house and gardens to the public. The house’s west wing, however, was left in a safe yet dilapidated state while awaiting further funding.

In 2022, £10,000 of grant funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Transforming Heritage programme was secured by the volunteer group, the Friends of Nantclwyd y Dre. This grant was utilised to fund the cost of preliminary surveys, a feasibility study, and architectural drawings that formed the basis for the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) grant application.

The LUF grant will be utilised to bring into use the final undeveloped spaces – the west wing and a small, two-storey garden structure from the 18th century known as the summerhouse. This project will contribute to the outputs and outcomes to be delivered through the Clwyd West Levelling Up Fund Application, Protecting Ruthin’s Unique Heritage, Wellbeing and Rural Communities.

Following consultation with key stakeholders, it was decided that the most sustainable approach to developing the west wing was to create holiday accommodation on the upper floor and to improve catering and volunteer facilities in the ground floor spaces. Additionally, the upper floor of the summerhouse will be restored and opened to the public, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the gardens and town.

These developments will facilitate income generation to help sustain the site and Denbighshire’s Heritage Service. The ground floor catering space will also help to facilitate weddings and larger events, while improved volunteer facilities will support Nantclwyd's valuable volunteer cohort.

Key points

• This project activity is part of Clwyd West Levelling Up Fund Project 1: Ruthin’s Unique Heritage and Wellbeing.
• This project will deliver improvements to Nantclwyd y Dre.
• The design contract has been awarded to local consultants TACP Architects.
• The project is due to be completed by August 2025.

Current position

A planning application and listed building consent for the work has been submitted.

Gallery

Nantclwyd y Dre West Wing

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Nantclwyd y Dre Summerhouse

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Nantclwyd y Dre: Proposed floor plans (TACP Architects)

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Nantclwyd y Dre: Internal 3D views - holiday accommodation (TACP Architects)

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Nantclwyd y Dre: Internal 3D views - staff spaces (TACP Architects)

Consultation

Project information and designs may also be viewed on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be delivered?

The expected deliverables are:

• Small, high quality holiday accommodation on first floor of Nantclwyd y Dre’s currently derelict west wing.
• Improved staff / catering kitchen on ground floor suitable for hosting events.
• Improved volunteer space on ground floor.
• Additional office space on ground floor for staff.
• Grade 2 listed external summerhouse restored and made safe for visitors.

What are the expected benefits?

Primary benefits include:

• Improved heritage asset.
• Heritage asset safeguarded.
• Increased income generation.
• Expansion of offer - additional services and experiences for visitors and residents.
• Increased footfall (to the site and the town) due to expanding offer.
• Long-term increased sustainability / reduced cost of the facility for Denbighshire County Council.
• Improved volunteer facilities.
• Holiday accommodation increases longer term visitors to the town, benefitting local businesses and services.

Will mitigations be made to accommodate Nantclwyd y Dre's bat population?

Yes, extensive ecological consultations have been undertaken to ensure that the bat population at Nantclwyd y Dre is not disrupted. Factors such as lighting and flight paths will be considered throughout the design and construction phase. In order to compensate for increased visitor use of the west wing, a bat house will be added to the garden to provide a valuable resting spot and shelter for bats as they exit their roost.

Bat mitigation flight house – TACP Architects

Will access to the east wing (main house / museum) of Nantclwyd y Dre still be available during the work on the west wing?

We are not currently anticipating any disruption to visitor access to the main building of Nantclwyd y Dre. During the construction phase, restoration work should be largely contained within the west wing, although there may be some disruption or limited access to the gardens.