An iconic Aberystwyth building will be turned into flats after a previous plan to turn it into a hotel and spa were abandoned.

Ceredigion County Council planning officers gave the go-ahead before Christmas to turn the ground and first floors of the former Ceredigion council buildings at Swyddfa’r Sir on Marine Terrace into 19 apartments.

A previous planning application for the Grade II listed building built as the Queens Hotel in 1866, sought to change the use of the lower ground, ground and first floor of the building into a hotel and spa, with the plan financed partly through an application for European Regional development funding.

That funding fell through however, meaning plans to convert the upper floors into 28 apartments were also abandoned.

Owners have now been given permission for the 19 apartments, with a Listed Building application set to be made.

The former Ceredigion County Council offices and magistrates court – which was used as the location for the fictitious police station in the hit television drama Hinterland - has been left empty since the court moved in 2012 following the council vacating the building.

Concerns have been raised over the state of the building as it is left empty, but owners Hawkestone said that “during this period the deterioration of the condition of the building has at least been stabilised with essential repairs having been carried out to the roof, gutters, loose stonework and many windows in poor condition”.

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