Caerphilly Council to decide on Ruperra Castle Right of Way

A Caerphilly Council Public Right of Way Committee on Thursday 27 March will decide the fate of public access to view the only pageant castle in Wales.

Public right of way LLanfedw FP1 goes through the Castle grounds between the locked gates at the North to the South of the site (black line A to C). This path forms part of the Rhymney River Circular walk, which is enjoyed by many. To continue the walk, you must currently take a path outside the west wall of the Castle grounds which is very steep and uneven at one end, with the other end being very muddy in the winter.

The proposed diversion (dotted line D to C) will take the public about 65m away from the Castle behind an active horse manage and on a very steep embankment, making it substantially less convenient as the public will not be able to enjoy the same views, and it won’t be as accessible. You can view the proposal and associated maps in the public report on this page – agenda item 4.

One of the main reasons given for keeping the gates locked and diverting the path is due to safety as the Castle is at risk, but the report does not take into account the recent structural survey undertaken by Cadw in July 2024, and includes a Cadw quote from 2023.

Appendix 7 in the papers shows a map which is referred to as a hazard/topple zone - shown below. The main track is partially within the hazard/topple zone which includes a margin for rolling debris and not just the height of the existing walls. There is no context around this map, full risk assessment or any safety mitigations to help with decision making. This also worryingly appears to show part of the Bothy being within the hazard/topple zone. This area was recently granted planning permission for a residential development by Caerphilly Council despite members of the public raising the safety issue at the time.

Only a third of the current route is in a potentially dangerous area and we would like to see the hazard/topple zone redetermined using the most recent structural survey information, which could then see a temporary diversion away from the castle and onto the main track. This is an option that the Caerphilly Council Public Right of Way Committee could consider. The main track will be kept in good condition and the Castle must be made safe as the current hazard/topple zone will be dangerous for the residential development.

The planning permission granted in 2022 to develop the site didn’t show the public right of way on any plans even though Welsh Government guidance for local authorities states that the effect of development on a public right of way is a material consideration in the determination of applications for planning permission and authorities should ensure that the potential consequences are taken into account whenever such applications are considered.

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) 2024 defines public rights of way as green infrastructure and states that the planning system must protect the provision of green infrastructure.

Get involved
Show your support by attending the public meeting at Caerphilly Council Chamber, Penallta House, Tredomen, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, CF82 7PG on Thursday 27 March at 2pm. You need to arrive before 1.50pm to be admitted to the viewing gallery. View further details, all associated papers online and access the live weblink. 

If you have any questions please email: [email protected]

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