ANGER OVER MANSION ARSON
Owner hits out after suspected drug users started fire at historic estate:
THE owner of historic Caernarfon mansions dubbed arsonists a “disgrace” after suspected drug users sparked a blaze.
A fire was started at Plas Ty Coch – part of the Brereton estate – on Thursday evening, with firefighters saying it was arson.
Yesterday developer Paul Williams – who hopes to build a 100 bed hotel, lodges and luxury apartments at the site – took a look around the mansion to assess the damage.
He said they have increased the security on the buildings in a bid to prevent future trespassing incidents,
He added: “I have now looked around Ty Coch and seen the damage done by this latest fire,
“It has damaged the floor of the first floor where it was started and we think it has caused more damage to the roof.
“It was in a separate area to the last fire so this is fresh damage.
“It is disappointing. We spent two days securing these buildings after buying the site but they have hacked their way in.
“We have now spent the day increasing security on the building that will make it harder to access again.
“We have found drug use paraphernalia where the fire happened so think it is drug users getting in.
“It is really sad, this is a Grade II Listed building, a prestigious building in Caernarfon.
“It is just disgraceful that peo- ple would wantonly try to burn it down. Words cannot put into context my feelings.
“A petrol can has also been recovered and we are hopeful police could get some DNA off these and we could find out who did this.”
Both the Ty Coch and Plas Brereton houses have been empty for a number of years and have fallen into a state of disrepair.
The properties have both been subject to arson attacks in the last year.They were bought earlier this year by Paul and Rowena Williams, who also own the Glynllifon mansion near Caernarfon and Seiont Manor in Llanrug.
They plan to transform the site into a 100 bedroom hotel with a pool, spa, restaurants and bars. This will be a new build linked to Plas Brereton mansion.
Under the scheme, derelict Plas Ty Coch would be restored into luxury period apartments with low density housing in the grounds of the mansion and the restoration of walled and formal gardens.
They want to erect luxury holiday lodges on the banks of the Menai Strait and further housing on grassland between Plas Brereton and the quay.
They plan to start the planning application process in the coming weeks but said they would be on site shortly for initial the clearance of debris and overgrown areas.
He said: “This will also the increase security presence as we will have people here every day.”