DEMOLITION work on the redevelopment of the former Cardigan hospital is expected to start within a month.

The project, which was approved by Ceredigion Council’s planning committee earlier this year, will see Cardigan’s historic Priory House kept as the “focal point” of a new development of 34 eco-friendly, energy-efficient apartments.

The redevelopment will also create a community café in the Priory House and public gardens and walkways in the grounds alongside office space for Wales & West Housing staff including a regional base for Wales & Wales Housing’s in-house maintenance company.

The building closed at the end of 2019 after a long-awaited state-of-the-art multi-million pound integrated health centre was opened in the town earlier that year.

It first opened as a hospital in 1922.

Wales & West Housing said it is working with its long-term construction partner TRJ of Ammanford to prepare the site and meet the conditions set by local planners before demolition and building work can start.

The former hospital car park and a public walkway from the neighbouring Grade II-listed St Mary’s Church will be closed for the safety of the public while all the work takes place.

Wales & West Housing said it hopes that the construction work on the new buildings will start next spring.

Wales & West Housing Group Deputy Chief Executive, Shayne Hembrow, said: “We are excited to see the innovative plans drawn up by our specialist architects come to life.

“Since the start of this redevelopment project, we have worked with the local councils and people living in the area to understand what is important.

“The project has been well received as Cardigan needs modern homes that are warm and comfortable to live in and affordable to heat.

“When we begin demolishing the exterior buildings and extensions, we plan to reuse as much material as possible to level the ground and limit the amount of waste being taken from the site.”

“We also intend to reuse stone from the demolition of the high stone wall along Pont-Y-Cleifion to build new lower boundary walls.

“It will be fantastic to see the main Nash House restored and takes its place as the centrepiece of our development and open out the beautiful grounds for use by the public.

“We have to close off the public walkway through the grounds and along the River Teifi for safety while the work is underway, but it will be reopened during the final phase of the development as part of the new circular walk and sensory garden for all to use.

“The site has a long and fascinating history, and we want to do it justice for future generations of people who will live, work and enjoy the area.”

The new homes are expected to be open to new residents by mid 2023.

They will be rented through Ceredigion County Council’s housing register to predominantly older local people and those who could benefit from easy access and supportive homes.