Editor

I was interested in reading your front-page story (Cambrian News Aberystwyth edition, 8 July) regarding the £360,000 being paid by Aberystwyth Town Council for St Winefride’s Church.

My first concern, as a ratepayer, is whether £360,000 being paid for the condemned property is a wise move.

Less than a year ago the asking price was £250,000. Is this a cavalier use of public money?

As you reported, this is an increase of £110,000 (44 per cent) over 11 months. The excuse given by the town council of it being a “buoyant market” simply doesn’t wash. Can the seller or purchaser give an example of other similar properties’ value rising by this amount?

The only reason I can understand this sort of increase is if the property was bought to build houses or flats on the land.

Also, why has the town council got reserves of this magnitude?

We have seen overspends before, as with the bandstand, which has never been fully explained, by the county council.

Finally, could the council not have taken over the town library? Is St Winefride’s the only property suitable for a community centre and offices?

Chris Samuel William Street Aberystwyth

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