A large Aberystwyth house will be converted to four flats after being used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for many years.

Conversion of the three storey, seven bedroom house on Rheidol Terrace, just off South Road, was brought to Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee on Wednesday, 12 January, with a recommendation of approval from planning officers.

The proposal is for four self contained flats – two studio flats, a one bedroom flat and a two bedroom unit – as well as demolition, improvements, renovations and associated works.

Local member Cllr Endaf Edwards had asked the committee to decide the application as there were concerns about the lack of parking, and storage of waste was also highlighted as an issue by Cllr Ceredig Davies.

Cllr Davies added that Aberystwyth had been “promised” a parking review ten years ago but it still had not been carried out.

Cllr Edwards said he would usually be in favour of flats over HMOs but not in this case, with “several oppositions by the local residents.

A planning officer report said the house was granted permission to convert to a HMO in 1992 and converting to flats would be considered a “betterment” to the local area, which was also highlighted by members of the committee.

The committee voted to approve the application by 13 votes, with four voting against and three abstentions.