National affront?

Locals are up in arms at plans to build a housing estate in the grounds of this historic home

Philip Cardy

Dating back to 1687, Erddig Hall, set in more than 1,250 acres of parkland near Wrexham, is one of the finest buildings in Wales. But now the National Trust, which acquired the estate more than three decades ago, is being accused of garden-grabbing on a grand scale over its plans to construct an “urban village” in the grounds.

The trust intends to build 223 properties – 55 of which will be classed as affordable – on a 20-acre plot of the estate near Rhostyllen, a Welsh mining village. The organisation claims this will provide much-needed housing for the area, and safeguard the future of the house and estate, which draw 350,000 visitors a year.

Many of the locals, however, are not convinced. Echoing a debate raging in beauty spots across Britain, they fear the development will destroy the character of the area, and claim that most of the houses will be bought not by locals, but by newcomers who commute to Liverpool or Manchester, just 40 and 55 miles away respectively.

The critics are being backed by Cymuned (“Community”), a Welsh-language pressure group. “The development is far too large for the community,” says Carrie Harper, of Cymuned. “These homes will be priced beyond the reach of most local people in the area. In fact, there is no need, locally or otherwise, for this development, other than a desire for lifestyle change.”

Cymuned also claims that the plans violate the wishes of Philip Yorke, the last squire of Erddig, who donated the property to the trust in 1973. “The National Trust is supposed to conserve our heritage, but the heritage of Rhostyllen is that of a close-knit community and of a Welsh mining village. It proposes to change Rhostyllen into a commuter-belt suburb of the northwest of England.”

The trust rejects this criticism, claiming that after more than a year of public meetings and consultations with elected representatives, a majority of local people back the scheme. It also insists its proposals are in accordance with the terms of the Yorke family’s bequest, which allowed for sale or development of land to provide funds for upkeep and restoration of the estate.

“We remain strongly of the opinion that the proposed Rhostyllen village extension will bring enormous benefits for the local community and the protection of the future of Erddig for the nation,” the trust said. “The suggestion that stopping the proposed development would ‘save Erddig’ is misguided. On the contrary, we believe the proposed development will ensure that the local community continues to thrive and prosper.”

Tara Green, secretary of the local residents’ committee, is not convinced. “The trust has missed an opportunity here,” she says. “It could have done a proper housing-needs survey for Rhostyllen, then provided a reasonable number of houses for genuine local need. This would have raised money for the endowment fund it wants, while also setting a positive example of how to support the local community.”

Other villagers are also unhappy – although many see the development as inevitable. “I think it’s bound to happen eventually,” says Kerry Jackson, 33, a housewife. “They say they need the money for the upkeep of the mansion, but it’s a shame that more green space has to be concreted over. Everywhere you go these days, houses are being thrown up. Someone, somewhere, is making a lot of money.”

Her friend, Andrea Bardsley, 39, agrees. “I don’t think many people living around here will be able to afford these new places,” she says. “A lot of people in the village are very angry.”

Erddig, described by the trust as “one of the most fascinating houses in Britain”, was designed by Thomas Webb for Joshua Edisbury, high sheriff of Denbighshire, and had been in the Yorke family since 1733.

The Yorkes were, on the surface, a typical well-off family. Underneath, however, they were rather unconventional. As long ago as the 18th century, many were vegetarians and teetotallers. They also remained keen to preserve the original character of the house, and did not install electricity, gas or mains water until well into the 20th century.

The stunning state rooms display their large collection of 18thand 19th-century furniture and furnishings, including some exquisite Chinese wallpaper. The large walled garden, which has been restored to its 18th-century formal design, has a Victorian parterre and a yew walk.