A CEREDIGION housing association will have to “replicate” the historic frontage of a former curiosity shop in Aberystwyth after the Welsh Government upheld a council enforcement notice.

The planning inspectorate’s ruling comes after Tai Ceredigion was hit with the notice in April following its decision to remove an old door and wooden framed single-pane glass windows on the former Enoc Huws shop on the corner of Vulcan Street and Prospect Street.

The door and windows of the ground-floor property were replaced with uPVC.

The former shop, which sits in the Aberystwyth Conservation Area, has since been occupied by a social enterprise which collects and redistributes surplus food from supermarkets.

Tai Ceredigion appealed against Ceredigion County Council’s enforcement on several grounds, including that the old windows and door needed to be replaced because they were unsafe.

But following a site visit in July, planning inspector Declan Beggan dismissed the appeal, claiming the housing association’s actions had “diminished” the historical qualities of the property.

“The decision is dismissed and the EN (enforcement notice) is upheld, and planning permission is refused on the application,” Mr Beggan said in his decision.

“The simplistic nature of the property with its small timber sash windows, slate roof, rendered walls and varying elevational treatment make it pleasing to the eye at the intersection of the two streets.

“The appellant contends the works retain the character of the building; I disagree."

Mr Beggan agreed with the council’s calls for a return to the property’s “original designs” and ordered Tai Ceredigion to remove and replace the uPVC.

A Tai Ceredigion spokesperson said: “We are disappointed by the decision.”

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