A scheme to improve the outside of a prominent Aberystwyth seafront listed building is “being held back” over an issue with deteriorating bay windows.

Work is ongoing at the Deva building on Marine Terrace to restore the facade to its former glory by owners Morgans Properties after years of delays.

The building, a former old people’s home across from the bandstand which has been empty for many years, was dubbed an “eyesore”, forcing Ceredigion County Council to issue a notice to improve the building’s condition in 2016.

Company director Vince Morgans, who also owns the Belle Vue Hotel and Park Lodge Hotel, was fined £1,000 in March 2017 for failing to carry out the work, but since then has had listed building consent granted for a large scheme to improve the exterior.

While that work is ongoing, with repairs to the roof and chimney having already been carried out, contractors ran into issues with the building’s bay windows.

A new consent application has had to be lodged to replace the windows, meaning work on the building’s facade has stalled and it remains covered in scaffolding.

The building has a previous consent in 2010 to turn into three separate houses, but no separate interior plans for the building have been lodged since then.

An application report for Morgans Properties said while the “remainder of the works will continue as approved”, “the scheme is being held back because of this issue with the bay windows.”

“At present, the buildings are attracting unwanted attention due to their condition and the previous listed building application sought to address this issue,” the report said.

“Finalising the issues with the window would assist greatly."

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