Public drop-in session planned for new traveller site

A county council’s search for a site to accommodate a new gypsy and traveler site will be discussed at a drop-in session today (October 6).

Powys County Council is looking for a 1.2-hectare site in the Welshpool area to accommodate 12 mobile homes. It has identified six potential sites on council-owned land in Leighton, Forden and Churchstoke.

The drop-in session will be held in Forden Community Center on Monday October 6 from 4-8pm.

Community living

Need for the new site, which must accommodate 12 mobile homes and have potential for future expansion, has been identified as part of work on the replacement Powys Local Development Plan 2022-2037.

The new site is needed in connection with the community living at the Council-run gypsy and traveler site at Leighton Arches near Welshpool. The existing site is at capacity with no further scope for re-configuration.

It is not possible to extend the existing site to provide additional pitches as the area is constrained by flood risk.

The new site must accommodate 12 pitches with access to an amenity block, have hard standing and be in reasonable proximity to the existing site.

Subject to gaining planning permission and available funding the new site is expected to be completed by 2027.

Shortlist

The Council has investigated its own land holdings in the Welshpool vicinity to see if a suitable site may be available on Council-owned land and shortlisted six potential options as search areas.

The Council is currently consulting and seeking views on these options to inform the next stages.

1. Parcel 1 at Leighton, Welshpool (7.83ha): Land opposite Severnleigh/Stables/Coach House/Granary, Leighton
2. Parcel 2 at Leighton, Welshpool (11.39ha): Land southwest of Severnleigh, Leighton
3. Land Holding at Leighton, Welshpool (47.12ha): Buildings and land at Gwyns Barn, Leighton
4. Parcel 1 at Forden, Welshpool (2.92ha): Land adjacent Forden Village – north of Church Farm/Church Farm Close, Forden
5. Parcel 2 at Forden, Welshpool (3.6ha): Land off C road C2114, South/southwest of Church Farm/Church Farm Close (opposite Pound Fields), Forden
6. Land Holding at Churchstoke, Montgomery (8.26ha): Land adjacent Churchstoke Village – Fir House land, Churchstoke

The full consultation can be found on Powys County Council’s site.