Subject: Re: CADW failures
From: Sion Buckler
Direction: sent
Date: Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:43 UTC
Institution: Welsh Government / Cadw
Refs: none
Archive id: gm-19fe7d6c11e21130
------------------------------------------------------------
Sirs/Ma'ams,
I write on behalf of my household; the Williams / Buckler Family of what
once was Great House in Llandough, Cardiff. I formally submit the attached
forensic review dated 9 August 2026 concerning Cadw’s 1988 assessment of
Great House Farm (Ty Mawr), Llandough, the subsequent demolition, and the
near-total absence of contemporary decision records confirmed in ATISN
27021.
The report sets out the surviving documentary evidence, the compressed
emergency process of December 1988, the independent professional record
(including the H.J. Thomas RCAHMW survey and post-demolition notes), and
twenty specific questions arising from Cadw’s own disclosures. It does not
assert criminal wrongdoing; it identifies material evidential gaps and
requests administrative accountability.
I respectfully request that the addressed bodies:
Provide a full account of the 1988 processes, answering the questions in
Section 8 of the report so far as records and institutional knowledge
permit.
Confirm whether the H.J. Thomas RCAHMW survey was held, accessed or
considered.
Issue a public statement acknowledging the record-keeping gap for an
irreversible heritage decision.
Consider formal administrative acknowledgement of process deficiencies and
appropriate annotation of the National Heritage List / Coflein / HER
entries.
Preserve and accession remaining material, including the two July 1988
photographs.
I ask Vale of Glamorgan Council to disclose any surviving records relating
to Building Preservation Notice consideration in November–December 1988,
and RCAHMW / HER custodians to update the relevant entries to reflect the
independent professional evidence and the missing Cadw assessment record.
I look forward to your substantive response within a reasonable timeframe.
Please cooperate in this matter. Our family have been heavily displaced,
dispossessed and justice delayed/ denied for decades. Having already taken
it to ECHR all avenues for recourse appeared to have expired. That was
until I discovered, what I believe to be, fraud and consealment. Which is
why I am calling for this case to be reopened, revisted and investigated by
local authorities as a matter of public interest.
As it stands with this case the law has become a monument to injustice, as
the practical application of property law resulted in the inhumane
treatment of my family. And for authority to be authority, legitimacy is
paramount. And I question a lot of the legitimacy in the decisions and
actions of the authorities in this matter. I seek in good faith to remedy
this entire matter so that it can be put behind us all. And so that the
account of what happened at that location, is accurate and no longer
remains so inaccuracte, fragmented and concealsed.
Regards,
Sion Buckler (Ret’d Sgt)
Royal Signals
Cyber and Electronic Warfare Professional and Life Member
On Wed, 29 Jul 2026, 09:10 , <[email redacted]> wrote:
> Dear Mr Buckler
>
>
>
> Many thanks for your email, apologies for the delay in responding I have
> been on annual leave. To answer your queries I must refer you back to my
> previous emails of the 10th 3rd and 2nd July.
>
>
>
> I appreciate your concerns and desires to find the information. However, I
> can confirm that all records were checked for the information you requested
> and we hold no further information or a record of the destruction. Cadw’s
> inspector advised, based on his experience, that he understood the practice
> was to either transfer records to the RCAHMW or destroy them under the
> Public Records Act 1958. We have no record of any transfer lists, accession
> records, archive schedules or other documentation recording whether records
> relating to Great House Farm were ever transferred to the RCAHMW. The
> photograph provides the only documentary evidence that Great House Farm was
> visited by Cadw and did not meet the criteria as it was not included on the
> list.
>
>
>
> To be clear, we do not have any further information which would help with
> your search for the relevant information. If you remain dissatisfied with
> this response you have the right to complain to the Information
> Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
>
> Information Commissioner’s Office,
>
> Wycliffe House,
>
> Water Lane,
>
> Wilmslow,
>
> Cheshire,
>
> [postcode redacted].
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
>
> Amy
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/59wkfSM/Cadw-large.png]
>
>
>
> *Amy Longford IHBC MRTPI*
>
> Uwch Arolygydd Adeiladau Hanesyddol, Parciau a Gerddi
>
> / Senior Inspector of Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens
>
> Amgylchedd Hanesyddol / Historic Environment
>
> Cadw
> Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
> Ffôn / Tel: [phone redacted]
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/CVwfkw2/Cadw-er-lles-pawb.png]
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/NxJvcfW/For-us-all-to-keep.png]
>
>
>
>
> Ymunwch â Cadw
>
> Join Cadw
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Sion Buckler <[email redacted]>
> *Sent:* 15 July 2026 18:28
> *To:* Longford, Amy (LCC - Cadw) <[email redacted]>
> *Subject:* Re: REVIEW of EOI ATISN 27021
>
>
>
> Ms Longford,
>
> Before responding to my earlier email, please may I add the following to
> my enquiry, even if you require addition time to respond due to this
> addition to my enquiry;
>
> In addition to my email of 2 July, there are a small number of further
> points which I would be grateful if you could address as they arise
> directly from comparing the original response with the internal review.
>
> The original response of 11 June 2026 stated:
>
> "Any other associated records would have been either transferred to the
> Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales for
> permanent preservation, or destroyed under the Public Record Act 1958."
>
> However, the internal review of 2 July 2026 states instead that:
>
> "There is also no evidence that any relevant files have been transferred
> to the RCAHMW."
>
> and
>
> "It is possible that the file was destroyed before it was ever updated on
> our electronic filing system."
>
> These appear to be materially different positions.
>
> Accordingly, I would be grateful if you could clarify the following:
>
> 1. What evidence supported the original statement that any associated
> records would have been transferred to the RCAHMW or destroyed under the
> Public Records Act 1958?
> 2. Following the internal review, does Welsh Government now accept
> that there is no evidence that any relevant records were transferred to the
> RCAHMW?
> 3. Does Welsh Government hold any transfer lists, accession records,
> archive schedules or other documentation recording whether records relating
> to Great House Farm were ever transferred to the RCAHMW?
> 4. If no such documentation exists, on what evidential basis was the
> original statement regarding transfer to the RCAHMW made?
> 5. Likewise, if there is no destruction register, disposal log or
> audit trail relating to the relevant file, on what evidential basis has
> destruction been suggested?
>
> Finally, the original response stated as fact that Great House Farm was
> visited by Cadw inspectors and did not meet the statutory listing criteria.
> The internal review, however, confirms that no assessment, report or case
> file has been located.
>
> Could you therefore identify the documentary evidence upon which that
> conclusion was based, or alternatively confirm whether the statement in the
> original response was an inference drawn from the existence of the two
> photographs rather than from any surviving assessment records.
>
> These points are intended simply to clarify the historical record and to
> reconcile what appear to be two materially different explanations contained
> within the original response and the internal review.
>
> Thank you again for your assistance, and I look forward to your response.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
>
>
> Sion Buckler (Ret'd Sergenant)
>
> Royal Signals Cyber & Electronic Warfare Professional & Life Member
>
>
>
> On Fri, 3 Jul 2026, 23:41 Sion Buckler, <[email redacted]> wrote:
>
> 👍🏻
>
>
>
> On Fri, 3 Jul 2026, 12:00 , <[email redacted]> wrote:
>
> Dear Mr Buckler,
>
>
>
> Many thanks for the email. This is a courtesy response to say that I will
> review your questions below and aim to get a response back to you by the 17
> th July.
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
>
> Amy
>
>
>
> *From:* Sion Buckler <[email redacted]>
> *Sent:* 02 July 2026 21:01
> *To:* Longford, Amy (LCC - Cadw) <[email redacted]>
> *Subject:* Re: REVIEW of EOI ATISN 27021
>
>
>
> Dear Ms Longford,
>
> Thank you for your letter of 2 July 2026 responding to the internal review
> of my Freedom of Information request (ATISN 27021) concerning Great House
> Farm, Llandough.
>
> I appreciate the additional searches undertaken during the review and the
> explanation provided regarding the physical record series examined.
>
> However, having considered both the original response of 11 June 2026 and
> the outcome of the internal review, I would be be grateful if you could
> clarify a number of points which appear to remain unresolved.
>
> *1. Documentary basis of the original response*
>
> The original response stated that Great House Farm was visited and
> assessed by Cadw inspectors and that the building did not satisfy the
> statutory listing criteria.
>
> The internal review now confirms that no assessment, report or case file
> relating to that decision has been located and further states that any
> relevant file may have been destroyed before being entered onto the
> electronic records system.
>
> Please therefore identify the documentary basis upon which the original
> response concluded that the property was assessed and found not to meet the
> listing criteria.
>
> Specifically:
>
> - Is that conclusion derived from a surviving record?
> - If so, please identify that record.
> - If not, please explain how that conclusion was reached.
>
> *2. The inspection of 29 July 1988*
>
> The original disclosure included two photographs dated 29 July 1988.
>
> Please confirm:
>
> - whether those photographs were taken as part of a formal listing
> inspection;
> - whether they formed part of a wider inspection file;
> - whether any inspection notes, recommendation forms, field notebooks,
> photographic registers or other associated records were created; and
> - if such records once existed, whether they are now believed to have
> been destroyed.
>
> *3. Basis for the statement that records may have been destroyed*
>
> The review states that it is possible documentation dating from around
> 1988 was destroyed before being entered onto the electronic records system.
>
> Please clarify whether that statement is based upon:
>
> - documentary evidence relating specifically to Great House Farm;
> - records management documentation such as retention schedules,
> destruction registers or disposal logs; or
> - a general understanding of historic records management practices.
>
> If no destruction records exist for the relevant file series, please
> confirm this.
>
> *4. Scope of the searches*
>
> Please confirm whether searches extended beyond the registered listing
> files to include, where appropriate:
>
> - ministerial correspondence;
> - senior officials' correspondence;
> - legal files;
> - inspector's working papers;
> - site visit records;
> - archaeological or conservation files;
> - policy records; and
> - correspondence with external organisations, including the Vale of
> Glamorgan Council, the former Welsh Office and other heritage bodies.
>
> If any of these categories were not searched, I would be grateful if you
> could identify which.
>
> *5. Welsh Government's position*
>
> Finally, I would be appreciate clarification of the Welsh Government's
> position regarding Great House Farm.
>
> Does the Welsh Government's position now amount to one of the following:
>
> - that Great House Farm was never considered for statutory protection;
> - that it was considered, but the records no longer survive; or
> - that it is no longer possible to determine whether consideration
> took place because the relevant records are unavailable?
>
> If none of those accurately reflects your position, I would be grateful if
> you could explain what the Welsh Government's position is.
>
> These questions arise directly from the original response and the internal
> review and are intended to clarify the historical record rather than seek
> the creation of new information.
>
> I look forward to your response.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
> Sion Buckler
>
>
>
> On Thu, 2 Jul 2026, 08:10 , <[email redacted]> wrote:
>
> Dear Mr Buckler
>
>
>
> Please see attached my review of your request noted ATISN 27021.
>
> Please let me know if you have any questions or queries.
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
>
> Amy Longford
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/59wkfSM/Cadw-large.png]
>
>
>
> *Amy Longford IHBC MRTPI*
>
> Uwch Arolygydd Adeiladau Hanesyddol, Parciau a Gerddi
>
> / Senior Inspector of Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens
>
> Amgylchedd Hanesyddol / Historic Environment
>
> Cadw
> Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
> Ffôn / Tel: [phone redacted]
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/CVwfkw2/Cadw-er-lles-pawb.png]
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/NxJvcfW/For-us-all-to-keep.png]
>
>
>
>
> Ymunwch â Cadw
>
> Join Cadw
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Sion Buckler <[email redacted]>
> *Sent:* 16 June 2026 09:10
> *To:* Longford, Amy (LCC - Cadw) <[email redacted]>
> *Subject:* Re: REVIEW of EOI ATISN 27021
>
>
>
> I suspected so.
>
>
>
> Thanks Amy.
>
>
>
> I look forward.
>
>
>
> Sion
>
>
>
> On Tue, 16 Jun 2026, 05:08 , <[email redacted]> wrote:
>
> Dear Mr Buckler,
>
>
>
> Many thanks for the quick response and for confirming your position. I
> totally understand and whilst the letters may appear formal, there are set
> templates to use for a review, I will bear this in mind whilst taking this
> forward.
>
>
>
> Just to let you know, I have had initial conversations internally which I
> will continue. I will keep you updated as best as I can.
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
>
> Amy
>
>
>
> *From:* Sion Buckler <[email redacted]>
> *Sent:* 16 June 2026 05:38
> *To:* Longford, Amy (LCC - Cadw) <[email redacted]>
> *Subject:* Re: REVIEW of EOI ATISN 27021
>
>
>
> Ms Longford,
>
> Thank you for the acknowledgement letter and for handling the internal
> review.
>
> For the record, my communications with Cadw have been enquiries and
> requests for information under FOI/EIR (ATISN 27021), specifically
> regarding the statutory listing history, assessments and related records
> (including the 1988 inspection photographs) for the building known as Great
> House Farm / Ty Mawr / Church View Close. I subsequently requested an
> internal review of the response provided.
>
> This was not framed or intended as a formal complaint. I would therefore
> be grateful if the matter could be treated and recorded as an information
> request and internal review under FOI/EIR, rather than as a complaint.
>
> My enquiries concern Cadw's functions in relation to the listing and
> assessment of the building only.
>
> Regards,
>
> Sion Buckler (Ret'd Sergeant)
>
> Military Cyber & Electronic Warfare Professional
>
> Life Member: Royal Corps of Signals
>
>
>
> On Mon, 15 Jun 2026, 12:44 , <[email redacted]> wrote:
>
> Dear Mr Buckler
>
>
>
> Many thanks for your email requesting an internal review of you EOI
> request, I will be the case officer dealing with the review, please see the
> attached acknowledgement letter with key dates. Any questions, please let
> me know and I will do my best to help.
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
>
>
> Amy
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/59wkfSM/Cadw-large.png]
>
>
>
> *Amy Longford IHBC MRTPI*
>
> Uwch Arolygydd Adeiladau Hanesyddol, Parciau a Gerddi
>
> / Senior Inspector of Historic Buildings, Parks and Gardens
>
> Amgylchedd Hanesyddol / Historic Environment
>
> Cadw
> Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
> Ffôn / Tel: [phone redacted]
>
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/CVwfkw2/Cadw-er-lles-pawb.png]
>
>
> [image: https://i.ibb.co/NxJvcfW/For-us-all-to-keep.png]
>
>
>
>
> Ymunwch â Cadw
>
> Join Cadw
>
>
>
>
>
> Sganiwyd y neges hon am bob feirws hysbys wrth iddi adael Llywodraeth
> Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd o ddifrif yr angen i ddiogelu eich
> data. Os cysylltwch â Llywodraeth Cymru, mae ein hysbysiad preifatrwydd yn
> esbonio sut rydym yn defnyddio eich gwybodaeth a sut rydym yn diogelu eich
> preifatrwydd. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn anfon ateb
> yn Gymraeg i ohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg
> yn arwain at oedi. ----------------- On leaving the Welsh Government this
> email was scanned for all known viruses. The Welsh Government takes the
> protection of your data seriously. If you contact the Welsh Government then
> our Privacy Notice
>
> explains how we use your information and the ways in which we protect your
> privacy. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence
> received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will
> not lead to a delay in responding.
>
> Sganiwyd y neges hon am bob feirws hysbys wrth iddi adael Llywodraeth
> Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd o ddifrif yr angen i ddiogelu eich
> data. Os cysylltwch â Llywodraeth Cymru, mae ein hysbysiad preifatrwydd yn
> esbonio sut rydym yn defnyddio eich gwybodaeth a sut rydym yn diogelu eich
> preifatrwydd. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn anfon ateb
> yn Gymraeg i ohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg
> yn arwain at oedi. ----------------- On leaving the Welsh Government this
> email was scanned for all known viruses. The Welsh Government takes the
> protection of your data seriously. If you contact the Welsh Government then
> our Privacy Notice
>
> explains how we use your information and the ways in which we protect your
> privacy. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence
> received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will
> not lead to a delay in responding.
>
> Sganiwyd y neges hon am bob feirws hysbys wrth iddi adael Llywodraeth
> Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd o ddifrif yr angen i ddiogelu eich
> data. Os cysylltwch â Llywodraeth Cymru, mae ein hysbysiad preifatrwydd yn
> esbonio sut rydym yn defnyddio eich gwybodaeth a sut rydym yn diogelu eich
> preifatrwydd. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn anfon ateb
> yn Gymraeg i ohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg
> yn arwain at oedi. ----------------- On leaving the Welsh Government this
> email was scanned for all known viruses. The Welsh Government takes the
> protection of your data seriously. If you contact the Welsh Government then
> our Privacy Notice
>
> explains how we use your information and the ways in which we protect your
> privacy. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence
> received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will
> not lead to a delay in responding.
>
> Sganiwyd y neges hon am bob feirws hysbys wrth iddi adael Llywodraeth
> Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd o ddifrif yr angen i ddiogelu eich
> data. Os cysylltwch â Llywodraeth Cymru, mae ein hysbysiad preifatrwydd yn
> esbonio sut rydym yn defnyddio eich gwybodaeth a sut rydym yn diogelu eich
> preifatrwydd. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn anfon ateb
> yn Gymraeg i ohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg
> yn arwain at oedi. ----------------- On leaving the Welsh Government this
> email was scanned for all known viruses. The Welsh Government takes the
> protection of your data seriously. If you contact the Welsh Government then
> our Privacy Notice
>
> explains how we use your information and the ways in which we protect your
> privacy. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence
> received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will
> not lead to a delay in responding.
>
> Sganiwyd y neges hon am bob feirws hysbys wrth iddi adael Llywodraeth
> Cymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd o ddifrif yr angen i ddiogelu eich
> data. Os cysylltwch â Llywodraeth Cymru, mae ein hysbysiad preifatrwydd
> yn esbonio sut rydym yn defnyddio eich gwybodaeth a sut rydym yn diogelu
> eich preifatrwydd. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn anfon
> ateb yn Gymraeg i ohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn
> Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi. ----------------- On leaving the Welsh
> Government this email was scanned for all known viruses. The Welsh
> Government takes the protection of your data seriously. If you contact the
> Welsh Government then our Privacy Notice
>
> explains how we use your information and the ways in which we protect your
> privacy. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence
> received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will
> not lead to a delay in responding.
>