THE CELTIC Manor Resort’s hopes to move a listed 400-year-old ruin next door to the Ryder Cup clubhouse were rejected by Newport planning councillors yesterday.

The resort said it was embarrassed the “damaged and derelict” Little Bulmore Farmhouse will be allowed to remain near the Ryder Cup course.

Eight of Newport City Council’s ten planning committee members voted against listed building consent being given to the resort to dismantle and move the Grade II listed building to Draenllwyn Farm, Catsash Road.

They argued they would be going against advice from several bodies that the building, built in 1630, should remain in its current location.

The vote went against council officers advice that plans be recommended to Cadw for approval.

The resort applied for permission to demolish the building in 2006 but was refused because of its history and prominence. An appeal to the Assembly was rejected.

The Georgian Group, the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust and Society for the Protection of Ancient Monuments all voiced their opposition.

The latter said the situation was entirely of the owner’s making and refusal to safeguard the listed building over many years.

A report presented to the committee said: "It cannot be right to reward this by agreeing to a proposal to simply move a listed building out of the way.”

A spokesman for the Celtic Manor said it was hoped the resort, Newport and Wales would be shown in the best possible light during the prestigious competition, adding: "It is highly regrettable this will no longer be possible as all planning application options have now been exhausted.”

Principal planning officer Tracey Brooks told the committee meeting the application was “the best chance we have of getting this building fully restored and back into use.”

Councillor John Richards said he felt the committee was under pressure and said it must not change its position.

He said: “I can’t help feeling that I am being used as part of a puzzle on planning to solve someone’s problem”.

European Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said they have lived with the building during the recent Celtic Manor Wales Open and will do so again if necessary at the Ryder Cup in October.

He added: "Nevertheless we are surprised that the elected representation went against the recommendation of the officers and we share with Sir Terry Matthews his extreme disappointment at this decision."

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Farmhouse should go

THE decision to refuse the Celtic Manor permission to demolish and rebuild a ruined farmhouse that sits right beside its Ryder Cup course clubhouse will draw mixed emotions, depending on where you sit.

It is bound to annoy the owner of the Celtic Manor, Sir Terry Matthews, who has spent more than £130m building his resort and golf courses to such a standard that they have attracted the Ryder Cup.

Equally it will annoy those who believe that the authorities have got their priorities wrong.

But it will delight those who claim that money can't always talk loudest.

Our view is that the ruin, if it is still standing beside the clubhouse during the Ryder Cup, will make our heritage authorities, especially Cadw, look ridiculous.

The Celtic Manor has offered to take the ruin down, brick by brick, and rebuild it faithfully elsewhere.

But this wasn't good enough.

We find it hard to believe that such a ruin would be allowed to remain beside other prestige buildings, such as the new Olympic Stadium in London.

While we agree that money cannot buy everything, we also feel that Sir Terry, who employs 600 at the resort, has used his millions to do a lot of good for both Newport and Wales and this is a poor way to repay his massive investment.