Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle says he is becoming increasingly concerned that the historic Llancaiach Fawr, near Nelson, may never reopen.
The Tudor Manor house has now been shut for two summers with seemingly no immediate hope that it will once again welcome visitors.
Lindsay Whittle, who is a former leader of Caerphilly Council, said: “I don’t think we have got to the bottom about what is happening with Llancaiach Fawr.
“The council leader has talked about a preferred route for the operation of Llancaiach Fawr but there was ongoing legal, financial and operational due diligence to resolve.
“Frankly, this is turning into a complete farce of the Labour Party’s own doing. The second most important historical landmark in the county borough – after Caerphilly Castle – is lying closed and we have absolutely no idea if or when Llancaiach Fawr will reopen.
“The way this whole episode has been handled does worry me and I am increasingly concerned that it will never reopen to the public. Come clean, Caerphilly Council,” added the Senedd Member for Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili, Rhymni.
He posed a series of questions to the council leadership.
1 Is the council currently in discussions with a preferred operator and, if so, for how long has this been going on?
2 What are the detailed reasons for the long delay in concluding an agreement?
3 Has the council a target date for conclusion of discussions?
4 Will the council commit to a reopening of Llancaiach Fawr in time for the start of the traditional visitor season at Easter 2027?
Councillor Charlotte Bishop, leader of the opposition Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “Llancaiach Fawr should be alive with stories, history and visitors — not standing closed and fading into the background.
“It is an iconic part of our heritage, yet we continue to spend money while people are denied the chance to experience and enjoy it. Our history belongs to the people, and it deserves to be opened, cherished and brought back to life.”