Architects appointed to protect chapel at at Beaumaris Castle from water damage

Architects have been appointed to take the lead in a major conservation project at Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey.

The chapel of the Grade 1 listed building is under threat from long-term water damage which is impacting the interior of the landmark building which has stood since 1295.

Conservation specialists BTP Architects will lead a design team as part of a £225,000 programme of works following their selection by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.

Beaumaris Castle is famous for never being completed, with work petering out on the building of the castle in 1320.

Despite this, it is considered one of the most technically perfect castles in the UK and is the last of the castles built by Edward 1 to create a defensive ring around the North Wales coast from Aberystwyth to Flint.

BTP joined CADW’s lead professional advisor framework last year, which is designed to give the agency a pool of suitably qualified conservation specialists for the highly specialised work.

Adrian Pearson, BTP’s senior conservation architect, said: “It’s an honour to be entrusted with helping to make sure this fine building can continue to be seen and enjoyed by people for centuries to come.

“Our built heritage is central to our cultural identity and it’s essential that conservation work is done in an effective, timely and sympathetic manner.

“Here at BTP we pride ourselves on knowing how to use the best 21st century technologies available to us to support and maintain the pride of the 13th century, the work of Edward 1’s architect, James of St George.”

The £225,000 contract is expected to take six months to complete once on site, with a projected start date in January 2023.