Unanswered questions and dilapidated buildings

Lampeter university alumni have raised concerns over unanswered questions over the future of the campus and the dilapidated state of empty buildings.

Jane Langford, of the Lampeter Society, an association of former students, says a local stakeholder committee, set up by University of Wales Trinity St David in the wake of its controversial decision to close the campus last year, hasn’t met for over a year.

Plans to use the campus for post-16 vocational education were announced over a year ago but very few details have been revealed so far.

Jane, the society’s representative on the committee, said she therefore wrote to the university to ask what was going on.

Now a senior official has responded with some fresh information on what is being considered and offering to meet Jane in September to discuss the situation further.

The letter claims that latest developments include regional employers’ skills needs analysis; 20 events and conferences will be held on campus; pilot residential Welsh language courses held; funding being sought to refurbish the iconic Old Building and the Lloyd Thomas hall of residence to facilitate sustainable rural enterprises and new sporting facilities may be created for use by students and the community.

But Jane said: “There are still a lot of questions unanswered.

“There are vague assurances of progress from the university, but the doors are still closed and the buildings continue to deteriorate.

“There is no time frame, as we had requested, and there is no mention of any plan to improve the state of the university sports pavilion, a listed building, which is in an appalling state.

“There is also no mention of numerous suggestions for the future use of the site which were submitted by stakeholders and other members of the public.

“We are increasingly concerned about the condition of buildings left empty for so long.”

Society chair Andrew Leach said he had been receiving enquiries from alumni who were concerned at the visible decline of College, adding: “I am not in a position to tell them anything due to the lack of information coming from the university.”

“After a year of planning, course details are still not available to prospective students, who will need to make decisions very soon for their ongoing education.”

Responding to concerns, a University of Wales Trinity Saint David spokesperson said: “The university remains firmly committed to securing a vibrant and sustainable future for the Lampeter campus.

“As acknowledged by representatives of the Lampeter Society, work is continuing to progress in collaboration with Ceredigion County Council and regional partners to develop proposals that respond to local skills needs and create new opportunities for education, training and community use of the site.

“The university is also actively exploring funding opportunities to support the refurbishment and redevelopment of key parts of the estate, including the historic buildings that are integral to the campus' long-term future.

“While a considerable amount of preparatory work has been undertaken, it is important that plans are robust and financially sustainable before further announcements are made.

“Our focus remains on creating a sustainable future for the campus that delivers educational, economic and community benefits for Lampeter and the wider region.”