The Red House Pub opened its doors 130 years ago

The Red House pub in Ferry Road, Grangetown was earmarked for demolition to make way for new flats.

But Cardiff Council refused permission to raze the building, famed as a historic maritime pub that was once favoured by sailors from all over the world.

It followed strong local opposition by people who feared that the area's heritage would be destroyed.

Although the pub is no longer trading and is currently surrounded by building sites, local people say it has a significant historical value and fought to stop developers from knocking it down to make way for new houses.

"It is absolutely fantastic that the building has been saved," said local historian Eileen Breslin.

The decision to save the building is a victory for common sense Jason Toby, local resident

"Grangetown has already lost so much of its history that to lose the Red House would be the final nail in the coffin.

"It is part of the area's heritage and it would have been awful to lose it."

Her comments were echoed by Jason Toby, another lifelong resident of the area, who helped organise a petition.

"The decision to save the building is a victory for common sense," he said.

"It came as a real surprise because we thought that it was cut and dried and would be demolished.

"Now we are hoping that the building could be used as a tourist office or incorporated into the new International Sports Village," he added.

History

The Red House pub was first opened for business in 1871, and was a favourite haunt for the city's dockers.

It was originally known as the Railway Hotel but became the Red House in 1926.

During the General Strike of that year, more than 20 steamers were idle in the docks.

Crews and their families built gang-planks across the mud flats to get to the pub for refreshment.

A colour change by the brewery in 1939 caused uproar amongst regulars and it had to be re-painted red.

But recently the pub has closed for business after nearby developments meant the road it is on was closed and customer numbers dropped.

Plans were submitted to Cardiff Council to build 31 new houses on the site of the pub but there was strong local opposition.

A petition was handed in against the plans and a further 47 letters were received by the council objecting to the idea.

Despite its connections with Cardiff's industrial past, Cadw, the body which protects the historical heritage of Wales had not given the building listed status.

And local people feared that it would mean the demolition of the building.

But the planning committee rejected the application at City Hall in Cardiff on Wednesday.