“South Lodge” – at the entrance to Windsor Gardens – and owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council may be going up for sale. It was originally owned by Penarth Urban District Council.
One of the best-located detached houses in Penarth, with sweeping views over the Esplanade, the Pier and the Bristol Channel and surrounded by immaculately-kept lawns and stunning flower beds, may be coming on the market soon.
It’s South Lodge at the entrance to Windsor Gardens, adjacent to the Holm House Hotel.
In an internal council report the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s ruling ‘cabinet’ is being recommended to “consider options” for the future of South Lodge. It’s proposed to begin discussions with the Vale’s Director of Visible Services and Housing “at the earliest opportunity” to “identify potential opportunities for this asset” .
The two-bedroom Edwardian house stands at the southernmost entrance to Windsor Gardens and – like many houses of the era – has “rooms within rooms” and might require substantial internal re-configuration and updating by anyone who acquires it – but the property is said to be well maintained and perfectly sound.
Now it’s a mess-room for park staff . Soon it could become a home again.
A further report is to be presented to the Vale Council ‘cabinet’ in due course . The other lodges – originally built for park staff and their families – have already been sold off.
Some people may well argue that the cash-strapped Vale of Glamorgan Council has no right to sell-off assets which were originally gifted to the town of Penarth by Plymouth Estates.
The four and a half acres of Windsor Gardens, the bandstand and the North and South lodges were given to Penarth Urban District Council for the benefit of the town by Plymouth Estates – who had developed it in the first place.
Local control of Penarth was lost in the 1974 reorganisation of local government in which the old – and much-respected – Penarth Urban District Council (under whose emblem the current emasculated Penarth Town Council still operates) was wound up and taken over by the newly-created South Glamorgan Council.
The South Glamorgan Council didn’t last long. It disappeared in April 1996 in a second re-organisation which brought the Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council into being.
Consultants JLL have also proposed that the Vale Council should sell-off the entire portfolio of shops that it owns – but the council has decided this is not a priority as the shops – many of which are in local seaside locations in the Vale – “serve an important purpose in local communities and economies” .
The Vale Council is also considering what to do with three farms that it owns and further tracts of grazing and agricultural land.
Ages ago application was made to the Council by persons wishing to turn this little building into a small gallery. It was of course refused although it did not make a noise or change the surroundings. Since then it has been some kind of a council depot with the consequent damage to the approach caused by heavy vehicles (see photos).
But, as is quoted above “The Council are to keep…………..may not be interfered with” seems to apply to the former occupants of Millionaire’ Row (Marine Parade). But the view of the sea is restricted, or was last time I was there in Festival Week, by trees obscuring the view from some of the Windsor Gardens.
Could the Council advertise this lovely little building as suitable for a gallery, or indeed, as stated, for the local history society? The loss of the Turner House adds piquancy to the idea, especially for a town, the Garden by the Sea, which prides itself for its situation, amenities and residential desirability.