THE controversial plan to expand Machynlleth’s traveller site has been given the green light by Powys planners, although questions still remain over whether road access safety concerns can be overcome.

Despite concerns in the town over unresolved issues about the highway access to the site, which is currently already used as a site for travellers, and over the use of the site which is designated as common land, councillors on the authority’s planning committee decided by seven votes to three to approve the scheme. Two councillors abstained.

Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams is a member of the planning committee, but stepped aside when the decision was made so he could present the concerns of residents.

He said: “Although I’m a member of the planning committee, I didn’t take part in the decision-making process. I acted as the local representative to put across the views of the residents that I’ve heard.

“That includes the issue of the access, which is still to be agreed, and the exchange of land which is currently being consulted on.”

While the road access at the site has been raised as a concern, the council is still waiting to hear from the highways agency over whether problems with junction visibility can be managed, to allow the scheme to go ahead.

The council is still in discussions with Machynlleth Town Council over identifying alternative land that would be designated as common land to make up for the loss of the current common land near the cemetery, which would be used to provide the 10-pitch site.

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