The decision to shelve proposals to introduce charges on eight free car parks in Mid Wales was a “huge embarrassment” to Powys County Council, it has been claimed.

The claim was made at last night’s Llanfyllin Town Council meeting when members discussed the decision by the county council to put the plans on hold after thousands of residents objected.

Many of the objections came from Llanfyllin, with critics claiming the plan would ruin efforts to pull the town out of recession because it would discourage visitors from coming and spending in the town.

Critics also said the plan would have been unworkable because Powys County Council only owns half of the town’s car park. The other half is owned by Llanfyllin Town Council, which has vowed not to charge for parking.

At last night’s meeting members were told of the decision by the county council to shelve the plans until 2011/12 when the county authority would become responsible for both off-street and on-street parking.

The county council also agreed to look at talking to town and community councils about them possibly leasing the car parks and running them themselves and meeting the cost from their local precept.

Town councillor John Brautigam, who attended the county council meeting on Tuesday and helped compile a report on why charging at Llanfyllin would be unworkable, said: “This has been a huge embarrassment to them.”

In response to the criticism last night, Powys County Council spokesman John Evans said today the authority had held a consultation on the proposals and had listened to the public’s concerns.