AN Aberystwyth hotelier has been granted permission by planning officers to convert the former county court building and county council offices into flats.

Emyr Davies wants to turn Edleston House into five flats as part of a development to bring the listed building on Queen’s Road back into use.

He had already been given listed building consent, and now the scheme has been given the green light by Ceredigion council’s planning department.

Originally slated to be decided by committee on Wednesday, officers gave the scheme the go-ahead in January under delegated powers.

Documents for the scheme show that the estimated renovation costs are £869,389.76, including the £300,000 Mr Davies paid the council for the property.

Documents included as part of the application say that it is hoped that the five flats could be sold for around £870,000, leaving a tiny profit margin if the plans are seen through.

The plans, which will see four two-bedroom flats and a single one-bedroom flat created, was supported by Aberystwyth Town Council, but asked for conditions to be imposed ensuring that the “iconic” building’s “historic elements” were preserved and restored, and that more parking spaces were provided through changing the layout of the parking area.

The council also said it “hopes that the quality of the development will not be jeopardised by the very tight profit margin as identified in the viability challenge”.

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Heritage body CADW has not raised any objections to the development.