Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Defence of the Realm - Penarth Head Fort and Coastal Battery . . .

Subject to the usual annual closing in order to preserve the Department's rights, the promenade in front of the Battery, together with a footpath giving access to the promenade from St. Augustine's Crescent, is open to the public now just as it was before the War. I am informed that at some earlier date the public were allowed to pass on foot round the Battery, but that this privilege was withdrawn for military reasons, and the facilities now in existence were granted in consideration of this restriction. But should the Battery at any time become surplus to military requirements, I will arrange that the question of giving the Penarth Urban District Council facilities to purchase the site at a fair price is not overlooked.

Mr. Freeman stated - Is it not a fact that the public used this as a right of way for many years, and will the hon. Gentleman consider granting these facilities to Penarth again?

Mr. Shinwell replied - It is not agreed that there is such a public right of way. - Hansard [088] 10 December 1929.

1930 - British Army - (Penarth Head Fort)

Mr. Freeman - asked the Secretary of State for War whether the fort at Penarth Head has been found to be redundant; and what action he proposes to take concerning the matter?

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. T. Shaw) - The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, steps will be taken to dispose of the property as soon as the guns and stores have been removed, and as my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary stated on 10th December last, the Penarth Urban District Council will be given an opportunity of purchasing at a fair price. - Hansard [088] 21 January 1930.