PART of the site at Machynlleth’s primary school is one of the options being considered for a new cemetery in the town.

Powys County Council will hold a public consultation event later this month after it was revealed the current cemetery on Newtown Road will be full within two years.

The council is considering two options, one of which would see a new cemetery developed on part of the grounds of the junior school at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen. The other option is land at Y Plas.

Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson, Cabinet member for cemeteries, said: “The current Victorian cemetery in Machynlleth is nearly at full capacity with only enough burial spaces left for another two years.

“We have already done some preliminary research and have identified two potential sites in the town - land we own at the primary school and land at the back of the Plas that is owned by Mach­ynlleth Town Council.”

Mayor Cllr Tony Jones said it is important a new cemetery is agreed for Machynlleth, or there is a risk mourners will have to travel as far away as Newtown.

Ysgol Bro Hyddgen’s primary campus is expected to be incorporated into the secondary campus as part of a multi-million-pound redevelopment, although Cllr Jones said it is unlikely to be completed until 2020.

The consultation event will take place in the John Edwards room at Y Plas from 2pm until 6.30pm on Wednesday, 29 November. The council will also hold a market stall from 10am to 1pm.

An online survey and details of the options will be available from Wednesday, 29 November, by visiting www.powys.gov.uk

A folder with maps and paper surveys will also be available at Y Plas and the town’s library. Closing dates for comments will be 31 December.­

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