A LONG-DELAYED housing development on the site of an old listed chapel which was destroyed in a fire in 2008 should be fully occupied by residents in spring this year, developers have said.

The development of 22 flats at the former Tabernacle Chapel site between Mill Street and Powell Street in Aberystwyth has been beset with problems that have led to a string of delays.

But Mid Wales Housing Association said this week that it expects building work to be completed shortly so residents can move in.

The announcement will come as a relief to potential residents who have been left waiting to move in following the liquidation of the original contractors, problems with steel structure suppliers and a blunder that saw a bay window damaged after it emerged that the windows were protruding further than they should under the planning permission granted.

Alex Dawson, the senior development officer at MWHA, said the first completed flats should be available for tenants shortly.

He said: “It is pleasing to be able to report that the first units will be completed in the near future, and the prospective tenants, who have waited so patiently for the scheme to complete, will shortly be invited to view the flats prior to taking up occupation.

“The programme of phased completion and occupation dates should mean that the scheme is fully occupied in the spring. We will be pleased to report further with a formal completion date.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now