Contractors working on the multi-million pound revamp of the iconic Old College on Aberystwyth prom will take over the adjacent crazy golf site for use as site offices and storage for up to three years.

The university has also agreed to lease 30 parking spaces from St Michael’s Church to provide spaces for visitors to Old College.

The agreements were revealed in minutes released this week from a university council meeting held in March.

University council members heard that tender submissions for the project - estimated at costing more than £26m - have a deadline of the end of May, with a view of approving the winning tender at a meeting on 9 July.

The minutes said that “it was possible that the prices received could still be higher than the university’s own assessment of cost” and that “steps could also be taken to identify potential sources of additional funding to cover any shortfall”.

Preparatory work for the start of building has included the university’s council signing off on a three-year lease for the Ceredigion council-owned crazy golf site next to the Old College.

The university council signed off on the lease “with the intention that it be used for contractor site offices and the storage of materials”.

“Providing this space would avoid the need for the contractors to find their own space in town,” council minutes outlined.

The council also approved a plan to lease car parking space from nearby St Michael’s Church for visitors.

“Following discussions with St Michael’s Church, it was proposed that the university enter into a 25-year lease to provide a minimum of 30 car parking spaces at the church’s car park,” council minutes said.

The new and ambitious designs were revealed in December 2018.

Initial plans for the iconic building have been significantly built upon - forcing the cost up by more than £6m than originally proposed - with the inclusion and development of both 1 and 2 New Promenade next door to create a striking six-storey, glass-fronted atrium with a rooftop function room.

The new plans include the creation of a museum, spaces for art and exhibitions, a science and discovery centre, conference facilities, and a 24-hour study space for students.

The wood-panelled Old Library will be developed as a wedding venue with 33 hotel rooms developed on the upper floors.

New business units will also be developed with funding from the Welsh Government’s Welsh European Funding Office, as well as artist studios, community facilities, a bistro-café and bar.

The university said the project to breathe new life into Old College will create up to 40 new jobs.

The project has received almost £10m in Heritage Lottery cash and is also being backed by £6m funding from the Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund. The university will fund the remainder of the project costs, with a fundraising drive also planned.

Under the plans, the Grade I listed Old College, opened in 1872, will be transformed into a cultural, learning, and enterprise facility, with the hope that the new building will attract more than 200,000 extra visitors a year.

The university initially said they wanted the project to be completed in time to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2022, but the timetable has had to be pushed back due to the pandemic.