A PROMINENT derelict site in the heart of Machynlleth may become a permanent site for the travelling community, according to a local councillor.

Earlier this year, the Cambrian News reported that town councillors had warned of a potential “public backlash” over plans for a permanent three-caravan traveller site just outside Machynlleth on the Newtown Road.

That plan, part of Powys council’s Local Development Plan and which would involve spending taxpayers’ money on road improvement works, is understood to have been put on the backburner over location issues.

Now, town councillor and former mayor Gareth Jones says he believes that the former Travis Perkins site on Heol y Doll is being eyed up by the council as a new permanent site after he was told by residents that the site “had been viewed on at least two occasions” by people from the travelling community.

Cllr Jones said: “Recently, residents of that area of Machynlleth have seen an increased interest in the site by a group of people from the travelling community, some of whom are already living on sites elsewhere in Machynlleth.”

Powys council did not rule the site out when approached by the Cambrian News.

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