THE Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales says the removal of a lay-by outside Builth Wells is “sheer lunacy”.

Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine, and a large group of Cilmery residents turned out last Saturday to protest against new housing development plans to remove a much used lay-by in the village.

The Cilmery Lay-by Action Group says it provides access to the only post box, which the Post Office will not replace if the lay-by disappears.

The old telephone box on the lay-by houses a defibrillator, which is placed for emergencies.

The lay-by is used by both locals, passing tourists and heavy goods vehicle drivers wanting a break.

Concerned residents say the local community bus and school bus uses the lay-by to stop and to allow wheelchair users and school children to alight safely.

The group says it does not object the proposed development plans for new housing, only the removal of the lay-by.

The leader of the UKIP Wales Group said: "It seems lunacy to close the layby when it performs so many useful functions for village residents and also for passing motorists". He gave his full support to the group and added he would follow up the visit with a letter to the Planning Application Committee, outlining his findings.