The Dan-y-Graig estate may have had creative input from one of the UK’s most well known architects, Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis. Although he might be most known as the creator of the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales – notable as “The Village” in the 1960s television show The Prisoner) – he also produced architectural drawings for the Dan-y-Graig estate in Porthcawl.
These drawings found in the architect’s archives include a proposed detached house as well as a general layout of the Dan-y-Graig estate, which, interestingly includes a site reserved for a hotel.
Although, the Danygraig Estate does not show signs of the Mediterranean atmosphere that Clough Williams-Ellis was attempting to replicate in Portmeirion, the work he produced for Danygraig was created during the same time period.
The extent of Clough Williams-Ellis’ input into Danygraig, and whether his ideas were ever put into use, is unknown. However, there are a few houses in Danygraig that seem to resemble the proposed detached house design that the architect created. Who knows, there could be some local residents completely oblivious to the fact that they’re living in a piece of architectural history!
Extremely interesting article. Will look with added interest at all the houses on the avenue, to see if a connection can be spotted.