Madam,

Well there you have it! ‘Aberystwyth Town Council has decided to back much maligned plans for an apartment block to replace the “Colditz on the hill” above Aberystwyth harbour’ (Cambrian News, 2 November) apparently on the grounds that former residents of the demolished Plas Morolwg flats were “going through hell while they waited for its replacement” and “it’s been picked up” (sic) that the final building will look better than that suggested in the very sketchy drawing presented to the public. “Picked up!” Really! Is that council speak for ‘a wish and a prayer’? Is that good enough a reassurance for the residents of Morolwg and the people of Aberystwyth that they are not going to again be rehoused in second-rate accommodation in another architectural monstrosity?

Of course rehousing the residents of Morolwg must be a priority and, of course, the sooner the better. Indeed, in passing, one can only assume that serious questions have already been asked of those who sanctioned a process that has left good and decent people ‘to go through hell’ since the demolishing of their homes. Where, when, how did that happen? Has anyone been held to account? But that (sadly) aside; it is not sufficient reason for saying that those good people should now be rehoused quickly in what looks to be quick fix flats deemed good enough for those in social care but not I daresay for those who build them.

As far as I know there was no opposition to the build of social housing overlooking the harbour. The opposition was to the build of housing that will not stand the test of time, which, like the former building, will become an eyesore over time and announce to the world that this is what Aber thinks of its vulnerable populations most in need of care. Not over much it seems. Wouldn’t a much more productive response of Aberystwyth Town Council have been to have said, ‘let’s revisit these plans as a matter of urgency (and I can only assume that the residents of Plas Morolwg have been involved in such a process - including the design of the new build). Let’s ask, do we need five storeys, are the flats in keeping with the local geography and extant architecture, will they be an enduring statement of pride for the people of Morolwg and of Aber? Would they be somewhere where we too would want to live?

Come on Aberystwyth Town Council, you are better than that! And even if all is now decided, we implore you to keep a watchful eye on this development, that you won’t accept second rate buildings and won’t be satisfied with wishful thinking. The people of Aber deserve better. They need hard evidence of what this build will look like when finished and who it will affect. Sadly I, and many others I suspect, aren’t convinced that what will finally materialise will be better than the shadowy white pictures currently on display.

Yours etc,

John Evans, Aberystwyth.

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