Cardiff Local Board of Health - Surveyors Office
February 10th, 1855

addressed to : James Thompson Esq., Barnt Green.

Dear Sir

On Tuesday Commander Burminster the Commanding Officer of Engineers who wrote to you from Birmingham, was at Cardiff, for the purpose of making arrangements with Lord Bute's agents for the erection of batteries at the pier head Cardiff, and he called upon me on the subject of the proposed batteries at Penarth.

The spots they require are those which I supposed they did from the previous communication, and do not interfere in the slightest manner with the Plan or arrangement of the Building ground. And Commander Burminster had not a large map. I have traced sufficient to show the locality, and will send him a copy after I hear from you ; if you approve of it.

The fort site 'a' for 2 guns is the Orchard above the head, from and between the Quarry, the Station and Mrs. Parry's house. The right of way to it being the same as to Parry's house. It is entirely isolated from any proposed building and is not likely to be selected for building anything but cottages.

The second, thinking it an injury to the Estate to have a battery there. I consider it fortunate that anything can be made of an otherwise useless spot. You will recollect that the Quarry is some 10 to 15 feet below the upper edge of the Cliff, being in fact a ledge that depth below it so that any buildings erected for the accommodation of the soldiers will not obstruct the view. You will be able to set the matter clearly with your knowledge of the locality by inspecting the tracing.

Mr. Reece has shewn me a letter from you and I am surprised at his writing to you, for he did not mention the subject to us before. He now tells me that he mentioned having occasion to write to you on other matters that if there are Soldiers at Penarth they will get hold of the Penarth Maids or something to that effect.

He must, however, have written again for your reply refers to injury to the estate by stopping building. It is my opinion it will have the very reverse effect. The complaint of all persons who go to Penarth in the Summer is against its extreme dullness and anything which makes the place gayer will in my opinion promote its success as a residence.

I certainly have the success of the building at Penarth as much at heart as Mr. Reece and yet for the life of me I can't see what injury it can possibly cause. Besides I have consulted those who talk of building there and they seem only in doubt that it will never take place, and generally seem anxious for a few soldiers to be quartered there as protection, for at present there is not a policeman within miles, and troops of sailors, English and foreign roam through the place at will during Summer.

The only doubt upon B is the old Quarry, part of the top of the Cliff and which we settled upon. Your last point it would enforce the estate to work now it is on the edge of the Cliff continually crumbling away. No sane person would build there and it is fit for nothing but to remain a waste piece of ground. It is, however, fit for the garrison proposed and so far from my mind was about the magazine, for upon the size of it and quantity of powder likely to be stored there would of course depend the distance at which it would be safe to build.

But Commander Burminster informed me that it is only what is technically called an Expense Magazine* that they intend placing there in that it is for a very small quantity of powder. Under these circumstances I consider it perfectly safe to build as originally intended.

The only question is the price. I think 1d. per square yard being double what some now charge and will be a fair charge for the land required by the Ordnance.

I am afraid I have inflicted a very long letter upon you but I wished to prevent misunderstanding if possible.

Please let me know whether you approve of the price I name, and whether I shall formalise the terms to the Ordnance.

Believe me

Deceive him

Yours faithfully, J. E. Bernard

* An Expense Magazine generally stores 25 cartridges per gun.

The original correspondence is held at the Glamorgan Archives. [Glamorgan Archives Reference : DPL-812-9] [599]