GWYNEDD Council has come under fire after a listed 400-year-old building collapsed in a heap.

Old Saethon, a grade II* listed building in Nanhoron, near Pwllheli, has been in a poor state of repair for many years but has now collapsed in on itself, rendering any renovation efforts problematic in the extreme.

As depicted in photos uploaded to the Cymdeithas Archaeoleg a Hanes Llyn (Llyn Archeaology and History Society) website, the building, which dates back in part to the early 17th century, has fallen from a state of disrepair in 2003 to total collapse 12 years later in 2015.

In correspondence between a local complainant and Gwynedd Council’s Planning and Public Protection Service, the council admits to being “acutely aware” of the building and council staff have visited the site on no less than 10 occasions between 2006 and 2017.

The complainant, who wishes to remain anonymous, but who has a historic interest in the crumbling property, has slammed the county council for allowing a “vital part of the Llyn Peninsula’s history” to be lost.

“Gwynedd Council, in my opinion, has failed to monitor and protect Old Saethon, an important part of Welsh History,” the complainant told the Cambrian News.

“What is the point of a listing system if the laws are not properly monitored or enforced?

“Something seems to have gone seriously wrong.

“I hope this issue raises some serious questions about how a Grade II* (just below a Grade 1) building could have been allowed to collapse and what policies are being put in place to make sure this does not happen again.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “The responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of listed buildings ultimately lies with the owner.

“The council as local planning authority is aware of the concerns in relation to this property and continues to monitor the situation in consultation with interested parties.”