**Concerns Raised Over Appointed Building Firm for Major Castell Coch Restoration**
Questions have emerged surrounding the appointment of a building contractor for the latest conservation project at Castell Coch, one of Wales’ most treasured historical sites. The project, focused on essential repairs to the castle’s well and kitchen towers, has drawn scrutiny due to the financial turmoil of a subcontractor set to undertake significant works.
Castell Coch, the iconic 19th-century Gothic Revival castle perched above Tongwynlais in Cardiff, is managed by Cadw, the Welsh Government body charged with preserving Welsh heritage sites. The Welsh Government awarded a £2.52 million contract for vital conservation work at the Grade I-listed structure to John Weaver Contractors Ltd. In a development that has prompted anxiety among stakeholders, John Weaver has subcontracted a substantial portion of the works to SSH Conservation Ltd – a company with a complex and recent financial history.
EMS emerging from Companies House documents, SSH Conservation Ltd recently went into administration, burdened with debts reportedly topping £1.25 million. Of particular concern is almost £1 million owed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), alongside unpaid sums to 86 creditors, including numerous small businesses and employees. Documentation from administrators reveals that 21 staff members lost their jobs as the previous entity was dissolved.
Despite the collapse of the original firm, a new company operating under the SSH Conservation Ltd name was incorporated in January under the direction of Jacob Motley, previously a director of the failed business. This reincarnation has not yet provided accounts at Companies House, raising further questions regarding its stability and capacity to complete the demanding restoration schedule. Industry sources estimate the value of the newly awarded contract for SSH’s portion of the work at approximately £500,000.
An anonymous source connected to the site, speaking with Wales Online, warned the entire project could “turn into an absolute farce” if the new SSH Conservation Ltd experiences problems. These anxieties stem both from the troubled financial legacy of the predecessor company and the ambiguous track record of the new entity, which, according to Companies House, adopted the SSH Conservation Ltd name only weeks ago.
In response to the controversy, a Welsh Government spokesperson maintained that “all necessary due diligence” had been carried out during the selection process. According to official statements, John Weaver Contractors managed the tender for domestic subcontractors, including SSH Conservation Ltd, independently but assured Cadw that every procedural check was in place.
SSH Conservation’s role will include a range of specialist tasks, such as repointing masonry, repairing chimneys, and rebuilding key structural elements on the well and kitchen towers. The expertise required for these works underscores the gravity of choosing a contractor with a credible and robust operational footing – a factor stakeholders insist is paramount given the castle’s historical and cultural significance.
Delving into recent events, administrator FRP Advisory detailed the insolvency process for the precursor firm, citing unsustainable historical debts as the key issue. After a management buyout in 2022, mounting liabilities and project losses led to a breach of an agreed time-to-pay settlement with HMRC. With debts far exceeding assets, the company was forced into administration in April 2025.
Despite these setbacks, SSH Conservation Ltd’s online presence asserts a long tradition in historic restoration, from architectural stonework and archaeological conservation to delicate work on museum pieces and church monuments. However, the new company’s lack of a public financial record has yet to reassure all parties.
The latest phase of restoration at Castell Coch commenced in April 2024 and is expected to span two years, tackling issues such as persistent damp that threatens the integrity of the castle’s fabric. Preservation of such historic sites is closely monitored by local communities and heritage enthusiasts alike, reinforcing the need for transparency and unwavering confidence in contractor selection.
Neither SSH Conservation Ltd nor John Weaver Contractors responded to requests for comment regarding their roles and assurances on this high-profile project. As work progresses, all eyes are on the effective stewardship of Castell Coch, with many hoping that the latest chapter in the castle’s preservation will uphold the standards befitting one of Wales’ most beloved landmarks.