Machynlleth Town Council will carry out an inspection of allotments at the Garshon after officially taking control of them.

Clerk Jim Griffiths told councillors that the town council had struck a deal with Powys County Council to take over the management of the allotments, but said that would mean that the town council would be responsible for any maintenance work that was needed at the site, especially as the county council was insistent it had no budget to be able to carry out work.

The town council will now also consider whether the rent charged for the allotments compares favourably to rents in other areas, with Mr Griffiths saying that current levels seemed appropriate compared to other prices and that it was important that the council didn’t “price ourselves out of the market”.

With the agreement between the town council and Powys Council finalised, Mr Griffiths said all current allotment holders had been written to about the change, but said that it should not result in any difference to them.

He said: “The tenure and registration now lies with this council.”

Cllr Michael Williams said: “I’m very pleased indeed.”

An inspection will now be carried out at the site to see what works need to be carried out, with questions already raised over the condition of walls at the site.

However, details of those interested in taking on an allotment are unknown as Powys Council has said it cannot provide a waiting list of those interested under “data protection regulations”.