Cllr Evans: 'Nothing wrong'

A pressure group has questioned the scale of the proposed development, and is concerned about its impact on the area.

But Mr Evans has insisted he has done nothing wrong.

"The fact that I am a county councillor does not mean none of my land can be included in any development plan," he said.

Ceredigion is the third smallest county in Wales, but the council estimates its population will need around 6,500 new homes by 2016.

Despite controversy over these figures, the authority is pressing ahead with allocating land which can be used for housing in the future.

I have no doubt at all the man has to go. He has to resign

Simon Brooks, Cymuned

The Week In Week Out investigation has revealed that two fields in Tregaron, which have already been earmarked for potential development, are owned by Mr Evans.

He bought the land a year before the development plan went out to consultation, and has admitted he knew the value of the farmland would rocket if it were to be developed.

"Is there anything wrong with anyone making money?" he asked BBC Wales reporters.

"Is that what you're against? Is that why you are questioning me?"

'Government scandal'

Campaigners from the Welsh language pressure group Cymuned are against the scale of the council's house-building plan.

The group claims it will threaten the culture, language and environment of the area.

Simon Brooks: Resignation call

But they are also concerned about what they see as a conflict of interest, between Mr Evans's public office and private land ownership.

''It is a local government scandal," said Cymuned's Simon Brooks.

"I have no doubt at all the man has to go. He has to resign."

Members of Ceredigion Council have already started discussing the draft plan, and Mr Evans confirmed to Week In Week Out that he did not declare his land interests at those meetings.

But the programme makers have since learned that he did discuss the matter informally with his chief executive.

But he maintains he has done nothing wrong and can defend all his actions.