A BITTER row has broken out after Machynlleth Town Council accused Powys County Council of going back on its word over the proposed traveller site.

And the town council has suggested it may take the matter to the Welsh Government after the county council appeared to backtrack on a commitment to hold a full public consultation.

It was reported in the Cambrian News last month that county council officers had told the town council there would be a full public consultation into their preferred plan to expand and redesign Machynlleth’s current traveller site at Fellingerrig.

But angry town councillors accused the county council of going back on their word last week, after Powys council claimed they never committed to holding a public consultation when they announced they were to hold an “engagement event” last Monday.

Cllr Rhydian Mason said: “I have nothing against the traveller community, but what I do resent is the way I feel I have been completely misled. The lady who was here representing Powys County Council, Simone Hodges, said ‘to avoid confusion, yes, it will be a consultation’."

But Powys County Council have denied the commitment was ever made to hold a full public consultation at October’s town council meeting.

Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Cabinet member for property, buildings and housing, said: “A Gypsy and Traveller site is needed in Machynlleth to meet the needs of a long-standing family who have lived and had connections with the town for generations. We did not agree to hold ‘a full public consultation before deciding on whether Machynlleth was the best place for a Traveller site’ and we were not in a position to promise a full consultation."

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