A CARDIGAN town councillor says she is ‘over the moon’ after receiving assurances that a sensory garden will be included in re-development plans for the site of the old hospital.

Owners Wales & West Housing have stated their aim to bring low-carbon, eco-friendly housing for older people, offices, community facilities and public walk ways to the location.

The centrepiece would be Cardigan’s historic Priory House, built in 1789 by celebrated architect John Nash, famous for designing Buckingham Palace and London’s Regent Street.

Cllr Elaine Evans, who has been lobbying for the inclusion of a sensory garden, was among local members who met with architects Gaunt Francis earlier this week.

“As someone who has an autistic grandson I think it’s very important we have a sensory garden there,” she told the Tivy-Side. “It would be a big step towards making Cardigan an autism-friendly town.

“It a lovely location for such a facility so I’m over the moon that the architects have now confirmed their plans will include one.

“It is something which should be high on our list of priorities as we are seeing more and more autistic children each year.”

Meanwhile, Derek Burton, driving force behind the Criw Glo team of fund-raisers, is gearing up for his latest fund-raising walk for Canolfan y Don on Sunday.

Derek will be lugging his famous 50kg bag of coal from Newcastle Emlyn to Cardigan – previous fund-raisers for the Aberporth unit have included a relay in baking heat from Carmarthen to Cardigan at the weekend and a trek up and down Snowdon last month.