OWNERS of an historic colliery site in Crumlin have pleaded with local businesses and the community to secure its future.

The Navigation Colliery, a mixture of Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings, was recently taken over by a new local charitable community, GLOFA Navigation.

The colliery closed in 1967 and the buildings fell into the ownership of Pontypool Parks Estate. Many attempts have since been made at letting the buildings to small to medium enterprises and feasibility studies have been carried out to try to find a commercial use for them.

In July 2011, the buildings were handed over to a building conservation trust known as the Carmarthenshire Building Preservation Trust with backing from the Prince's Preservation Trust.

But it has since come under the ownership of GLOFA, who are determined to transform the site into something that will benefit the local community and provide jobs.

Vera Jenkins, of GLOFA, said: “We are not playing about. We've got loads of ideas, we need things for the youngsters. But we also want people and local businesses to come forward with their own ideas.

"These buildings have so much potential. The main issue is to get jobs for Crumlin and make sure that a lot of people and local businesses get involved."

GLOFA 's working group, Friends of the Navigation, has around 15 volunteers who work on the site to help preserve its state and to pay for the insurance.

Caerphilly County Borough Council's Urban Renewal team has also thrown its support behind the trust's project.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council technically has no legal obligations, but all recognise the project has massive potential, not just in helping to save these historic buildings but the wider economic benefits for Crumlin and its communities.”

In 2009, the site was the subject of a £25million proposed development by Bristol-based Edward Ware Homes, but fell through due to the financial crisis.

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