Margam Castle Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study

The condition survey is now completed – specialists have inspected inside and out looking at stonework repairs, windows, doors, stairs, electrical supplies. A drone has been flown over the castle to look at the various different parts of the roof, the towers and where the rainwater is currently going. The cost of the initial repairs has been estimated to be £9.1 million.

Initial consultation work has taken place (in 2022) with 480 responses to the options survey, responses from members of the public, 18 schools and 12 Heritage groups. We have also spoken to key groups and stakeholders such as The Friends of Margam Park, The Field Studies Council and Margam Abbey.

The consultation so far has given a clear idea of what people want to see inside the castle and also their concerns. The consultation found that:

• People would like to see the space in the castle used to increase the events and activities offer at Margam Country Park.
• People would like to see overnight accommodation introduced.
• People would like to see the space used as a museum or exhibition space.
• All schools were interested in using Margam Castle as an Educational Facility and resource in future.

The consultation that took place has been used to influence the options designs that architects have been working on for the next phase of consultation, showing different potential uses for Margam Castle.

The Easter Consultation will take place 19^th-26^th April 11am-3pm.

The consultation will take the form of an interactive exhibition in the castle where visitors can share their stories about their connection to the castle, new historical information on the art collection of Margam Castle in its glory and visitors can also comment on the future options and ideas for Margam Castle.

The consultation will also be available online in the form of a digital exhibition and survey for those who are unable to make it to the castle over the consultation period but would like their opinion to be heard.

The condition survey is now completed – specialists have inspected inside and out looking at stone work repairs, windows, doors, stairs, electrical supplies. A drone has been flown over the castle to look at the various different parts of the roof, the towers and where the rainwater is currently going. The next step is to cost up all of these repairs. Council Officers are currently working on funding bids to try to addressed the most urgent concerns.

The consultation work is progressing well – with up to 500 responses to the options survey. The survey has given a clear idea of what people want to see inside the castle in the future with exhibition space and spaces to learn about the history of Margam coming out top. People were also concerned about any over commercialisation of the castle leading to loss of public access. Any ideas and comments will be taken on board during the next stage of the project. The next phase of consultation will take place in Easter 2023 with an aim to host an exhibition in the Castle. The display will include any ideas received during the survey process, new historical information and a way of gathering visitors stories about their connections to the castle.

The design team have been working on building a 3D digital model of the castle, scroll down to see the image. Specialist surveyors have used laser scanners to gather information in order to create a 3D model. This will be incredibly useful in the design process, in working out how to accommodate space for the bats who currently live in the Castle and also in building digital interpretation so that people can virtually experience the castle including areas that have not had public access.

3D Digital Model of Margam Castle:

In 2021 Neath Port Talbot Council secured a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in order to develop ideas for a new future for Margam Castle. The grant enables Margam Country Park to engage specialist support to work alongside the council and its stakeholders, to develop a comprehensive master plan for the Castle and its associated buildings.

The scope of work includes:

• Architecture / design services: measured surveys, condition surveys, historical research, production of a conservation statement, development of options, design and cost planning
• Project management and development: consultation and stakeholder engagement, activity planning, interpretation, overall project management, phasing and funding strategies
• Business planning: market demand, options appraisal, financial viability, visitor modelling, staffing, financial projections

The project development consultants were appointed earlier in the year and have already started working with some stakeholders. The design team and business planning team were appointed in September so there is now a full team of consultants on board. Work has already started on detailed surveys of the Castle which include laser scanning the building, drone flights to inspect the roof and detailed condition surveys to work out what repairs are needed.

The research phase will run until Christmas 2022, followed by an exploration of the options until Spring 2023. A final preferred option will be defined and costed by July 2023.

There is no defined brief at this stage, the aim of the options appraisal is to explore and gather potential ideas. A mix of commercial, activity and learning spaces along with a continued base for Council staff will be required. It's a possibility to explore an accommodation offer to support the successful on-site wedding venue, The Orangery. Other options could include a different catering offer, exhibition space, performance space and spaces for learning opportunities.

At this stage it's difficult to estimate the total cost of restoring the Castle and bringing in new uses. We know that the Council has recently spent £800k repairing the chimneys and finials for part of the castle. A detailed condition survey will provide a better idea of required costs in order to stop the castle deteriorating further and also estimated costs in order to bring the Castle back into a good state of repair.

That is without any conversion costs for new uses. A disastrous fire in 1977 gutted the interior of Margam Castle and as a result many rooms are little more than just a shell with no heating or lighting.

That all depends on when funding can be secured. If there is success with a lottery bid in late 2023, it could take a further four years before works would start on site and possibly a further two years before the works are completed.

It is highly unlikely that all works will be funded in this initial phase and there will be a focus on those aspects that match lottery grant outcomes. There are likely to have to be further restoration phases which may well have to depend on other funding sources.

The project team will be exploring this in parallel to looking at the options and it is estimated that the funding will have to come from several sources over a series of phases. The project team plan to make a multi-million-pound bid to National Lottery Heritage Fund but the timing of that will depend on securing match funding and getting the right mix that matches their outcomes.