MACHYNLLETH’S derelict former Travis Perkins site is not being considered as a traveller site, but is being eyed by an unnamed retail company, the Cambrian News can reveal.

Despite strong rumours in the town that Powys County Council was looking at the site on Heol y Doll as a potential site for the travelling community, it has emerged that Tesco, which still owns the site following the supermarket giant’s aborted attempt to open a store in the town, is keen to sell it for retail use.

Residents approached Machynlleth town councillors with concerns over whether the prominent site would be suitable as a traveller site.

But the town council has been told by the agent looking to sell the site on Tesco’s behalf that people seen taking pictures of the site through a fence were actually from an interested retail company.

The town council was told that representatives from the company had been unable to access the site as the gates were locked, so had been taking pictures through the fence.

Councillors heard on Monday night that the agent was not prepared to name the company that is interested in the site at this early stage.

Cllr Sylvia Rowlands said councillors should let people know that “it seems to be a retail business that is the main contender”.

See this week’s Machynlleth & Llanidloes edition for the full story, in shops and online now