A COUNCILLOR has labelled Aberystwyth Univeristy a “disgrace” for allowing a historic building and its grounds to “deteriorate”.

Penrhyncoch councillor Dai Mason said that the state of the building and grounds of Plas Gogerddan has been “neglected” and is looking close to “derelict” in some places.

Cllr Mason said the grounds of the mansion - where a former cricket pitch used by the community has been covered over by trees - have been “changed beyond all recognition”, since the university took over control of the building in 2008.

The university said the mansion remains an important part of its estate and will form part of a strategy consultation in the autumn.

Cllr Mason, who worked at Gogerddan for 42 years, told the Cambrian News: “This once majestic mansion house and grounds was the pride of this community, and the focal point of the Welsh Plant Breeding station, IGER, and IBERS.

“Aberystwyth University, since taking over some years ago, has seemingly neglected the building and maintenance, with the result that the place now looks tired and almost derelict from some angles. The grounds have also been changed beyond recognition.

A university spokesperson told the Cambrian News: “Plas Gogerddan is an integral part of the university’s holistic Estates Strategy which is in the process of being developed and which will be the subject of consultation with staff, students and other stakeholders in the autumn.

“The Plas is a historic building, which will feature in the celebration plans to mark the centenary of plant breeding at Gogerddan next year."

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