Dairy campaigners have one week left
Campaigners fighting plans for a 1,000-cow 'super dairy' on the outskirts of Welshpool today warned their supporters they have just one week left to make their voices heard.
Permission was granted for farmer Fraser Jones to build the dairy at Lower Leighton Farm, Leighton, last November, despite recommendations to refuse it. It would become one of the first of its kind in Wales.
But the Welsh Assembly has called it in because of fears about the risk of pollution
Now animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming says people have only until next Monday to object to the mega-dairy plans.
The scheme has attracted hundreds of objections, with residents raising concerns over potential smell and noise from the site and its closeness to a primary school and homes in Leighton.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals and Compassion in World Farming have written to the Assembly asking for the application to be reconsidered.
The Compassion in World Farming website says: "In November 2011, despite advice from their own planning inspector to reject the proposal, Powys County Council Planning Committee approved an application for a 1,000 cow dairy at Lower Leighton Farm.
"This was a serious setback in the battle against mega-dairies. But, following lobbying by Compassion, the Welsh Assembly Government planning inspectorate decided to take the final decision into its own hands.
"This means that we have a second chance to show our opposition to this mega-dairy."
Mr Jones has previously said he was disappointed the plans had been called in, adding if the scheme did not go ahead it could put him out of business.
Environment Minister John Griffiths said he was concerned about the risk of pollution from farm slurry.
