By Elgan Hearn, Local democracy Reporter
A bulk recycling centre should be located at the former Cae Post site near Welshpool instead of a new facility in Abermule, say opponents.
The former Cae Post recycling facility at Criggion Lane, Trewern, owned by Powys Council, is for sale for £325,000.
The facility closed in March, 2017 with the loss of 17 jobs after the Cae Post charity lost their recycling contract with Powys County Council.
The charity provided work and training for people with disabilities or disadvantaged in the job market. It collected recycling from 5,000 homes in north Powys.
At the 1,678 square metre facility the workers separated the recycling for onward transmission to re-processors.
This is what Powys County Council aims to do if or when the facility in Abermule is built, according to opponents to a new site being built on the outskirts of Abermule.
Last month the villagers in Abermule were told at a public meeting that if they found a similar alternative location and suitable access that fits the budget and could be built on time they would listen.
The county council says it has already dismissed the idea because of its location.
Mark Pearce, of pressure group Abermule Communities Together, said: “The former Cae Post facility was already providing a very useful service in processing waste; it beggars belief why this facility was ever shut down.
“It is not only absolutely reasonable to ask why this facility cannot be put back into use, but it is essential that Powys County Council state categorically that it is not a suitable facility to update and even expand can advance some extremely compelling, and objective reasons why not?”
Cllr Liam Fitzpatrick (Independent, Talybont-on-Usk) said:” This is so obvious – why spend all that money on a new site when they can just use Cae Post – surely the capital budget can be re jigged for this?”
Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Assets, said: “While the Cae Post site at Trewern was previously used for a materials recycling facility, this was on a relatively small scale and was not able to cope with the additional recyclable material collected once the kerbside collection scheme had been fully rolled out.
“The site is not of sufficient size for our current and future needs with the surrounding road network not suitable to meet highway standards for access to a bulking site.
“It is also situated on the far east edge of the county so it is not in a strategic location to service the whole of north Powys, which would result in additional fuel costs.”
