TWO listed Aberystwyth University buildings labelled an “eyesore” by neighbours could be converted into flats after redevelopment plans were approved.

The two Grade II listed buildings, number 1 and number 9 Laura Place, have not been used by the university for several years and the university came under fire from local residents unhappy that the institution had allowed the buildings to fall into disrepair.

The university has now confirmed that the buildings have been sold, subject to contract, to developer AVE Properties. The company has been granted planning permission, subject to conditions, to convert the buildings into flats.

Approval of the plans, which would see 1 Laura Place turned into five flats and 9 Laura Place being converted into six flats, is still required by heritage body CADW.

The development of both buildings will require internal work.

A university spokesperson said: “The properties in Laura Place served the university well during the decades when Old College was the main focus of our activities.

“As teaching, research and administrative functions have moved to Penglais and our other campuses, these properties have become surplus to requirement and we do not unfortunately have the resources to maintain buildings which are no longer needed for core business purposes.

“They were independently valued and put on the open market as part of a wider strategy to dispose of empty properties which has been approved by the university council.

“Both buildings have now been sold subject to contract.”

Although the amount the two properties were sold for is not known, the university had initially marketed them at £630,000 in December 2017 with an asking price of £335,000 for 1 Laura Place and of £295,000 for 9 Laura Place.

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