A planning application has been submitted to Cyngor Gwynedd by the owners of Cefn Castell, near Llanystumdwy seeking permission to carry out cliff stabilisation work.
The work is need following a landslip due to water from a land drain as well as natural erosion.
“A significant landslip occurred in February, 2024, adjacent to the building’s entrance gates” plans say.
“This was caused by a land drain on land beyond the curtilage of Cefn Castell that had been draining water directly onto the cliff face over a long period”.
It caused an “immediate threat” to the stability of the entrance to the house with the boundary wall now overhanging the cliff.
The coastal path below was also put at risk. Plans say enquiries failed to establish the ownership of the drain and the issue remains unresolved.
But urgent remedial action is now required to secure the entranceway to the house and the adjacent Welsh Coastal Path.
The application notes the cliff face at Cefn Castell is “prone to erosion and rockfalls” which poses “potential risk to the property, the coastline, and public safety”.
The application calls for permission for stabilisation work which will require the special engineering processes.
Check out the award winning property here.
The well known property was a winner of a national RIBA award and shortlisted for the RIBA House of the Year.
It was also shortlisted as a national finalist in the LABC Awards and has been featured in many architectural magazines, journals and TV programmes.
It notably featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs show, presented by Kevin McCloud, which followed the house’s construction in 2014.
One of the biggest talking points was its position perched by a cliff edge overlooking Cardigan Bay which is slowly eroding away.
It has also become something of a local landmark and tourist destination, bringing visitors to the area after being let for 196 days in 2024.
The plans say it has “significantly contributed to the local economy”.
The property was originally designed by renowned Manchester architects Stephenson Studio for owners Rob and Kay Hodgson.
Its design was influenced by a maritime theme of coastal observation stations.
The proposed work will include stabilising the cliff to reduce an erosion risk, and provide long-term protection to adjacent land and property.
The design and access statement says the works “aim to address ongoing cliff erosion and enhance the structural integrity of the coastal slope at the site”.
The stabilisation scheme will primarily utilise rock nailing, gabions, and rock revetment, selected to ensure long-term protection against coastal erosion and provide a solution that integrates well with the surrounding landscape.
The cliff face at Cefn Castell, it says, is “prone to erosion and rockfalls, which pose a potential risk to the property, the coastline, and public safety”.
The stabilisation measures will minimise further erosion of the cliff face and reduce the risk of rockfalls and landslides that may impact the property or the Wales Coastal Path below.
The engineering solutions proposed include ‘rock nailing; the installation of high-tensile steel anchors driven into the cliff face to provide stability and reduce the risk of material slippage.
It would also use Gabion baskets – wire mesh cages filled with stone to form a retaining structure to support the slope and mitigate surface water erosion.
A ‘rock revetment’ a large armour of stones would be used at the base of the cliff to absorb wave energy and prevent further erosion.
Previous work, in 2015, when planning permission was granted, saw cliff stabilisation works using boulders to provide protection from sea erosion.
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