By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
Villagers are planning a march to vent their anger against a bulk waste recycling centre to be built on the outskirts of Abermule.
In August the planning application made by Powys County Council (PCC) itself for the facility at Abermule Business Park was passed by just one vote, by its planning committee.
Arguments were made at committee that the business park was intended for prestige businesses rather than a recycling facility and its height would have a detrimental effect on the area.
On Sunday night nearly 300 people packed into Abermule Community Centre to start discussing ways to oppose the development.
An action group, Abermule Communities Together, was formed at Sunday nights meeting and is thinking of taking its protest down to Llandrindod Wells.
The march will take place on Saturday starting at 11am and going from Abemule Community Centre to the site.
Abermule Communities Together, chairman, Jeff Matthews said: “We will be marching on to the site where they want to put this, to make our feelings known.
“The UK is going through a huge democratic process, called Brexit.”
“We can compare that to communities such as Abermule not having a democratic right to overturn a decision that will affect our lives here.
“Many people in the village are feeling anxious, as we’ve only known about this for three or four weeks.
“We can’t fight this on planning or policy or rules as PCC brought in a consultant to make it (planning application) watertight.
“This is a tourist area, not an industrial one, a sports hall on this site or something for visitors would be much better.
“There are vacant brownfield factory sites in Newtown, which when the bypass opens will be close to the road network. Why is this not going there?”
Abermule with Llandyssil Community Councillor Jane Rees said that at the planning meeting in August, officers explained that the land under discussion flooded only on very rare occasions.
Cllr Rees said: “We showed photos of the land flooding in 2013. We did ask for the plans to be called in by the planning inspectorate/Welsh Government but that was too late as it has to be done before a decision is taken.”
Cllr Rees also said that councillors on the planning committee who claimed that the Community Council was “not against” the proposal were wrong.
A spokesman for PCC said that some enabling works were due to start this week.
Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Assets, said: “The recycling bulking facility is essential to maximise the efficiency of the collection vehicles and ensure the quality of the material we collect as we continue to increase our recycling rates in line with the Welsh Government’s targets."
