A TRIO of now dilapidated former South Wales tin miners’ cottages are being sold at auction with a guide price of £nil.
Sited in an overgrown location near the quaint South Wales village of Machen, between Newport and Caerphilly, Wesley Buildings, on Wesley Hill, are only accessible on foot.
Gemma Vaughan, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “Wesley Buildings offers the opportunity to acquire a building which we’re told was originally three cottages. It has a very interesting history. The vendor advised me that he bought the cottages back in 1979 when he arrived back from Saudi Arabia as a carpenter.
“He bought the property, his old family home, as he saw that it was up for sale. His great grandfather and mother were born there. His great grandfather worked in the tin mine in Machen.
“The cottages are now in an extremely dilapidated condition but could well present a blank canvas to a developer, subject to planning and the removal of a vast amount of undergrowth.
“The property, which can only be reached on foot as there is no vehicular access, is certainly a challenge but listed with a £nil reserve it means that a single bid of just £100 could secure the lot-as long as there are no other bidders.
“These cottages will be sold for whatever bidders want to pay with the highest bid, whatever that is, winning the lot.”
“The three cottages, which are spread over three floors, are as basic as they come and aren’t even connected to any utilities, not even water. However they are in an awesome location, near Machen, a large village three miles east of Caerphilly and just up the road from Newport.
“They are situated in the Caerphilly Borough within the historic boundaries of old Monmouthshire. It neighbours Bedwas and Trethomas, and forms a council ward in conjunction with these communities.
“Lying on the Rhymney river the cottages look out over the towering presence of Mynydd Machen (Machen Mountain).
“As the cottages are in such a derelict condition we haven’t been able to make an internal inspection. Those wanting to inspect the building are advised not to approach neighbouring properties but to contact Paul Fosh Auctions with any enquiries, in the first instance, to arrange a viewing.”
The cottages, along with some eighty plus other properties, will be sold online at the next Paul Fosh Auctions sale which starts from 12 noon, on Tuesday, May 14 and ends from 5pm, on Thursday, May 16.
Visit the Paul Fosh Auctions website for more details.
