An Aberystwyth palliative care support service has unveiled plans to convert a Southgate hotel into a day hospice.

HAHAV, Aberystwyth and District Hospice at Home Volunteers, a charity which helps provide support to those suffering with life limiting illness, has lodged a planning application seeking permission to convert the Plas Antaron Hotel into a day hospice.

The charity hopes that it will be able to start work in September, but Dr Alan Axford, one of the founders of HAHAV, said that would be dependent on planning permission being granted.

Dr Axford said: “The charity has been interested in securing suitable premises to provide day hospice facilities for some time and feel that Plas Antaron is ideally located, offering a suitable peaceful and relaxing ambience, with up to 30 parking spaces, and having disabled access.

“We plan to offer respite for carers, and provide complimentary therapies, including art and music therapy for those being cared for. It will also offer a drop-in facility for information and advice.”

Plas Antaron has been up for sale with the current owners planning to retire, but Dr Axford said with HAHAV not in a position to buy the property outright, a deal had been struck which would allow the charity to lease the property for three years initially, with an agreement that it could be bought during that period.

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now