COUNCIL chiefs have said they won’t consult everyone in Machynlleth before a decision on a controversial gypsy traveller site in the town.

Town councillors had previously argued that each person living in Machynlleth would need to be consulted individually before the common land near Machynlleth Cemetery, which is intended for the traveller site, is deregistered.

Powys County Council’s planning committee has already approved the use of the land for a traveller site, but the Welsh Government now needs to sign off on the deregistration of the common land and its exchange for another piece of land.

But in a response to the town council read out at a full meeting last week, the county council said it does not need to consult with everyone, and vowed to continue with a public consultation which will be advertised in the press and on notices at the proposed site.

It was reported in the Cambrian News last week that councillors were unhappy at the quality of the replacement common land on offer, and its distance from Machynlleth.

Cllr Rhydian Mason said: “The county council is thinking three or four steps ahead.

“They have already identified what area of common land they want to give us as an alternative. Both are completely different.

“One is moorland and the other is land far away from the town — they couldn’t have found land further away.

“I haven’t been contacted about this and I don’t know whether I am going to be reading the newspaper where they will be placing this.”

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