Cardigan Hospital re-development 'to re-start in September'

Demolition work on the site, which started in November, is now said to be almost complete.

A spokesperson said contractors TRJ (Betws) Ltd were continuing to prepare the site ‘for the development of 34 eco-friendly, energy-efficient apartments for local people’, alongside new offices for WWH staff.

In addition, there will be a regional base for their in-house maintenance company Cambria Maintenance Services.

The developers have always insisted that Cardigan’s historic Priory House will be kept as the focal point of the project.

The house was built in 1789 by celebrated architect John Nash, famous for designing Buckingham Palace and London’s Regent Street.

News that the next phase will commence in September comes after local concerns that work on the site had appeared to cease.

However, Wales & West Housing Group Deputy Chief Executive, Shayne Hembrow, said: “Following the initial demolition on site, which was very visible and was watched with interest by many locals, work is now going on behind the scenes.

“We want to make sure we get everything right on what is a complex project made up of a number of different construction elements.

“We want to make sure the new apartments are built to the most energy-efficient standard and also want to protect the Nash House during the outstanding demolition and re-development work.

“It has taken slightly longer than we first anticipated, but we would rather take the time now to focus on the detail before any major work starts on site.

“This is an exciting and important scheme for Cardigan.

"We hope the next phase of work will start by September, but if we need to take more time to finalise further details, we will.

“We want this to be a development to be proud of, that will stand at the gateway to the town for future generations.”

At the outset of the project it was said that the new homes were expected to be open to new residents ‘by mid-2023’.