Plans to demolish the former Royal Mail sorting office in Aberystwyth to enable a major retail and housing development to be built have been revealed.

The prime town centre site, which runs behind the former post office in Great Darkgate Street, has been left empty for years after the sorting office moved to the Glanyrafon Industrial Estate.

Now, a new application has been lodged with Ceredigion County Council by Ellis Developments Ltd, whose director, Meirion Ellis Jones, is seeking permission to demolish buildings at the site which have been described as “an eyesore”.

Developers also want to make alterations to the listed frontage of the post office building in the high street to make it more attractive to retailers.

The applications are at the early stage, but a heritage impact assessment for the sorting office site said that Ceredigion council’s Local Development Plan had identified the site as prime location for a retail and housing mixed development.

It says: “The site and building itself has been designated for redevelopment for retail and residential uses under the LDP.”

The report adds: “The proposal is take down building A, B and C and this will encourage potential developers to invest in a new project that would be beneficial to both the Conservation Area and the town as a whole.

“The LDP has earmarked the site for retail and residential, both of which would add vitality to the town centre.

“This application should be seen as the enabling works to help facilitate a better future proposal and should be supported by the local authority to help the regeneration of the site.”

While the application for changes to the old post office are less significant, a report said by altering the window sills at the front of the building to provide larger windows, it would make it more attractive to retailers.

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