Building of the Month February 2024: Plas Nannau, Llanfachreth, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2NG
Plas Nannau is a significant grade II* listed manor house built in around 1795 by Robert Hywel Vaughan who was Baronet and High Sherriff of Merioneth. It was constructed in 1795, in a somewhat austere, classical style and included parts of an older 17th century building within the design. In fact, the occupation of the site dates back as far as the 11th century.
Standing in beautiful countryside, it is an imposing three storey house built of local slate stone with a hipped slate roof. A grand central entrance forms the focal point of the hall, featuring two ionic columns that support a decorative porch. In 1805 two pavilion wings were added to the back of the building based on the designs of Joseph Bromfield but were subsequently demolished in the 1960s/70s.
The hall was sold in 1975 and, for a short while, became a hotel until it was eventually resold in 1979. As far as we know, the hall last changed hands in 1995 and has since been uninhabited. Conversion and restoration work was started without the correct approvals and then in 2020, Snowdonia National Park Authority (NPA) became aware that lead had been removed from the roof causing extensive water damage. Despite assurances, the owner has not carried out repair work and now the NPA is considering a number of options including enforcement action and is working with Cadw and SPAB to try to find a solution. The Georgian Group made it one of their top ten buildings at risk in 2022.