Renovations could start in just over two years
Work on renovations at Cardigan Castle could start in just over two years and there could be an official opening early in 2013.
Details of the timetable for the “largest heritage project in Wales” were announced this week by the Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust in a presentation to Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet.
“This is the first news of these dates and it may seem eons away but there is a great deal of work to do between now and then,” said Geraldine Delaney, adviser to the Trust.
Outlining details of the project – in total worth £9.2 million – she told councillors it would directly create 14 jobs, with more to come.
“It will generate over £700,000 into the local economy and sustain many more jobs, thereby bringing economic benefit to the town and the wider area,” she said.
The Castle, the various buildings within it and the gardens form a “multi-functional” scheme offering events space, public access, community space and commercial holiday lets.
Ms Delaney said the Heritage Lottery Fund submission for £4.55million of the funding must be completed within 18 months, and match-funding towards the £9.2million total must also be in place by then. “And we have to have all the permissions in place by then too. From there on it is a four year project to complete the whole thing,” she said.
In December the Trust was awarded just under £300,000 by the HLF to complete the detailed development towards the full submission.
The final date for the confirmation of match funding and stage two submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund is July 2010.
Work should then start on site in June 2011, with a schedule for completion in November 2012.
