Couple document renovation of derelict city house

A HUSBAND and wife are documenting their renovation of a derelict house in Cardiff into a dream home.

Emma Meese, 42, and her husband Gareth bought the property at 151 Rhyd-y-Penau Road in Cyncoed, Cardiff.

With gorgeous views over Llanishen Reservoir, the house had the potential to be stunning but was targeted by vandals after lying empty for years.

They are now documenting their project on their website and social media.

“We got the house early this year,” said Emma. “We started looking at it in September.

“It looks like people were squatting in there but I don’t know. We have since heard that local children used use it as a bit of hang-out.

“There is nothing in there – no water, they had stripped everything, even the pipes. This is our forever family home.”

The pair say they are seven weeks into a scheduled 22-week build.

The idea of developing the house had been a long-term dream for Emma.

Now she is working with local tradesman from Roundhouse Builders to make it a reality.

She has been documenting every step of the journey on social media.

“I had driven past the house for years and always said half-joking that would be the dream house.

“It has the views, close to work and is in a good catchment area for our son. The main reason we bought it was for the views.

“We know that in our lifetime noone will ever be able to build behind.

“So many people walked by and knocked the door and said how pleased they are that we are doing it.

“We already feel part of the community.”

According to the couple, the house has been derelict since 2001 when Western Power Distribution (WPD) announced plans to drain Llanishen Reservoir and build almost 350 houses on the site.

On December 4 that year Llanishen Reservoir Action Group (RAG) was formed to oppose the plans and save the reservoir from development.

As part of their plans to develop the area the American power company bought houses 147, 149 and 151 Rhyd-Y-Penau Road, with the aim of demolishing them to create an access way to the new housing estate.

However, the RAG campaign continued to grow and they opposed Western Power’s planning applications at every stage.

Following a 12-year battle, the community action group succeeded in its mission and the reservoir was saved in 2013 when WPD sold the site to Celsa Steel UK.