[Recovered on 19 Oct 2026 from the original email in the family's Gmail, because this archive file was missing. Matched to this entry by its subject line; where several emails share a subject, the order within the group is not certain. Email addresses, phone numbers and private addresses are redacted.]

Subject: Great House Farm, Llandough
From: Sion Buckler
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2026 03:23 UTC
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Royal Commission,

I am researching the demolition of Great House Farm (Tŷ Mawr),
Llandough-juxta-Penarth, in December 1988 (HER reference GGAT02038s / ST
1681 7331).

I am seeking to establish whether the Royal Commission was consulted or
notified before the farmhouse was demolished.

Contemporary reports from 3 December 1988 state that Cadw was considering
emergency protection/listing of Great House Farm and that a Cadw inspection
was being arranged, including discussion with the Royal Commission for
Ancient and Historical Monuments.

The farmhouse was then demolished on 6 December 1988.

I understand that the statutory framework at the time included provisions
concerning the recording of historic buildings before authorised
demolition. I would therefore be grateful if you could check your records
and confirm:

   1.

   Whether the Royal Commission received any notification, consultation,
   referral or request for advice concerning Great House Farm before its
   demolition in December 1988.
   2.

   Whether the Royal Commission was asked to inspect, photograph, record or
   otherwise document the building before demolition.
   3.

   Whether any correspondence exists between the Royal Commission, Cadw,
   the local planning authority, BP Properties Ltd, or their representatives
   concerning the proposed demolition.
   4.

   Whether the Royal Commission was given an opportunity to complete or
   supplement its earlier recording of the farmhouse before demolition.
   5.

   Whether your records contain any photographs, measured drawings,
   reports, field notes or other documentation relating specifically to the
   farmhouse immediately before its demolition.
   6.

   If records exist, I would be grateful for the relevant reference numbers
   and, where possible, copies.

For context, the Royal Commission had already recorded Great House Farm
architecturally in 1974. Contemporary material indicates that the building
was subsequently under consideration for emergency listing shortly before
its destruction.

There is also an important chronology concerning the occupation and
possession of the property: my late father William Buckler had lodged
European Commission of Human Rights application 14464/88 on 3 May 1988; BP
obtained possession on 29 November 1988; demolition began on 6 December
1988; and the Strasbourg application was registered on 12 December 1988.

I am not asking the Royal Commission to express an opinion on the ownership
dispute or the legality of the demolition. I am simply seeking to
establish, from your records, whether the Commission was notified or
consulted and what opportunity, if any, it was given to record the building
(our home since 1667) before it was destroyed?

Given the historical and archaeological significance subsequently
identified at the site, I would particularly appreciate confirmation of
whether any pre-demolition recording was requested or undertaken.

Regards


,


Sion Buckler (Ret'd Sergeant)

Royal Signals Cyber/ Electronic Warfare Professional and Life Member