Save the Sea Lawns!

We have received many letters and e mails of support - here are excerpts from a few

Just a quick e mail to thank you for your efforts on our behalf.   We are 100% behind you against the closure of the Sea Lawns and have written to the Planning Dept voicing our protest.
 
Best of luck,
 
Wendy and Lindsay Griffiths

Len Hutton had a historical point to make -

"Parts of the existing building date back to 1840 when maps showed there were only three buildings in Ogmere by Sea,Sutton House, Craig y Eos Farm and Sea Lawn. At that time the coastal road
ended at Sea lawn.20 years later a house called St Margaret's appeared slightly to the side of Sea Lawn. By 1918 Sea Lawn had been renamed Slon and St Margaret's renamed Brig y Don. In 1958 Slon had reverted back to its original name Sea Lawn. With the destruction of these old landmarks such as
Brig y Don and Craig Farm all now sadly gone there should be some case for saving the last of these old buildings in addition the case for retaining a community facility in the shape of the Pub/Hotel for the community and potential visitors to our Heritage Coast."

I know that the building has been adapted over the years but it was once the main house of the Slon Estate (I believe) and I was wondering if there is not some licence in discovering the history to find any bye-laws etc that might govern the use of the building. Our house was the Butlers house and Slon Cottage belonged to the gardener. I have in my possession the list of occupants of Maitor since it was sold on from the Slon Estate back in the 1860's. This all might be red herring but if useful please do not hesitate to contact. I give my support to the campaign but as never having been a customer of the pub it would seem a little arrogant and hypocritical of me to object on any other grounds than of personal inconvenience of such a project and also from a heritage point of view. Therefore I have contacted the planning department making such objections. There is another angle that does concern me and that is the only Hotel on this section of the coastline is planned to go as with a reasonable priced restaurant with magnificent coastal path views as the Sealawns own web site boasts. This takes away vital input, employment and trade at local shops making OBS impotent in social, and financial terms.
I am sure that many people are concerned at the way that planners and developers have and will run rough shod over people like us unless we make well reasoned and sensible protestations. I wish you all the best and pledge our support to you.
Peter & Pam Thatcher

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Peter Thatcher
Pastor 		Ogmore-by-Sea Evangelical Church

I have lived in Ogmore-by-Sea with my family for over 25 years. I have only recently heard about the above application and did not know of the meeting which took place locally to voice concerns.

In my 25 years I have seen the loss of the Craig-yr-Eos pub/hotel, the Brig-y-Don hotel and the Rivermouth pub/restaurant.The Sea Lawns hotel is the last building which can be used to promote community life.......

Local people do not want yet more apartments, which will not only reduce amenities but also potentially obscure the beautiful sea views as the apartments replacing the Brig-y-Don have done. Public condemnation of these apartments has been voiced already in all the local newspapers. Please do not repeat earlier errors of judgement! 

Robert P. Balfour, M.B., ChB., F.R.C.O.G., DTM&H.

(Consultant Gynaecologist at Princess of Wales hospital 1980-2005)

"Without a pub the village is just a collection of houses - not a community"

Carwyn Jones - First Minister Welsh Assembly

As well as local residents a number of visitors have written to us with their views

On a recent visit to Ogmore I was very upset to hear of the proposed plans to demolish Sealawns Hotel and build a block of flats.   As a family we have always visited Ogmore and loved this unspoilt part of Wales.  Our albums are full of my two sons on the lovely beach there.  To now contemplate destroying this part of the Welsh coast with a block of flats and demolish the hotel, restaurant and local pub for this purpose is unforgivable!   My mother lived in the Rhondda Valley and my sister and I used to visit her regularly.  One of her favourite trips was to visit Ogmore – it has played a very important part in our lives. As long-standing and frequent visitors to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast – and Ogmore in particular - we would like to lodge our objection, as a family, to this application.

Mrs Mair Davison,  Twickenham

and some from even further afield....

Dear Sir, 
It has been recently brought to my attention that the Sea Lawns is to be demolished and I would like to voice my concerns and opposition. 
For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to visit Sea Lawns during my visits from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  This is surely one of the gems of Wales.  It maintains the character and charm that Wales is famous for - worldwide! 
The view is spectacular and gives visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the water and beautiful gardens. 
Without this venue, I fear that a great sense of community will be lost, further isolating residents, who can only benefit from companionship and recreation. 
I would also add that there would be a considerable loss in Tourism revenue.  While the venue was certainly reasonable, I have no doubt that it generates revenues over the long term from visitors and the local residents, while providing valuable jobs for hard working people. 
I hope that you will not demolish this gorgeous landmark. 
Without this attraction, I would seriously have to consider whether I would return to Ogmore by Sea.  This is a place whose beauty and hospitality I have certainly come to love and hope to enjoy in years to come.
 
Susan West
Ontario, Canada

E mail us at contact@sealawnscampaign.com

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to share your views please send in your comments and views - we'll be happy to publish them here!