Background to the Welsh Georgian Trust

Plas Kynaston

Cefn Mawr, Wrexham

From 2012 to 2019 the Trust worked to restore and return to beneficial use the former manor house of Plas Kynaston, Cefn Mawr. This building had been unoccupied for over ten years and was a high profile building at risk.

It was owned by a charitable trust controlled by Wrexham County Borough Council and usage was restricted by covenants. This had defeated all previous efforts to find a solution as the only permitted use (for community benefit) was not possible due to an oversupply of similar buildings in the vicinity. An Options Appraisal Report, completed by the Trust in early 2013, concluded that the only viable option was conversion to six low cost flats.

Complicated consultations took place with a variety of interested parties over the period 2013 - 2015. Eventually, planning permission and listed building consent were obtained in 2015 to enable the restoration and creation of six leasehold flats for re sale.

During 2016 the project received a grant from Cefn Mawr Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) to help pay for the restoration costs and an offer of working capital finance from the Architectural Fund. The Trust became the owner of the building in 2016 and contracts were immediately signed both with the THI and with building contractor, Grosvenor Construction.

Work on the building was completed in time for an open day in November 2016, which was attended by a wide range of people. The response was wholly positive and the local community is very appreciative of the saving and restoration of this key historic building.

In 2017 landscaping works were completed, including the diversion of a public footpath away from the immediate environs of the building. The new footpath, fencing and landscaping works have ensured a proper division between the surrounding public park and the need for privacy and security of the building.

The project has been very successful and has received widespread praise. In November 2017, it won the Wrexham Area Civic Society award for Conservation of an Existing Building of Historic Architectural Interest.

In 2018 it was shortlisted for the prestigious Heritage Angels Awards Wales. The trustees attended the ceremony in Caerphilly Castle, attended by leading figures of the Welsh Heritage world, who were shown a video of the project which was specially made for the event.