In the three months since Ceredigion County Council announced its decision to impose a CPO on the castle, proceedings have seemingly ground to a halt.

But according to senior county planning officer Tim Ball, negotiations are gaining momentum and the council is confident that its position is stronger than ever in the battle to reclaim a piece of the nation's history.

"We are currently in the process of awarding contracts for consultants to complete the business and conservation plans," confirmed Mr Ball. "These should be announced in Feburary with the reports subsequently completed by May 2003."

Mr Ball went on to say that a successful CPO is dependent on a thorough and rigorous consultation process involving every aspect of the building's purchase and subsequent use.

"We need to know exactly where the money is coming from and we need to be ready to issue grants," he explained.

"We also need to know what the restoration is going to cost room by room and how much individual features such as the roof, walls, windows and stanchions are going to cost."

The reports will be completed by four separate teams of consultants, each team having been recommended to the local authority by CADW.

If the castle's owner raises an objection to the CPO the National Assembly will be obliged to conduct a public inquiry.