Take time on 1,000-cow Welshpool dairy ruling, planners told

Planning officials have been urged to take their time and get it right in making today's decision on plans to build a 1,000 cow dairy unit near Welshpool.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said that Powys County Council had a "very important" job to do when it came to making a decision on the proposed unit at Lower Leighton Farm in Leighton.

Farmer Fraser Jones has submitted the plans for the first dairy of its kind in Wales.

But the scheme has attracted hundreds of objections from residents who are concerned over potential smell and noise coming from the site and the proximity of the development to a primary school and homes in Leighton.

Mr Jones says he has addressed these worries but councillors have been advised to reject it.

A decision was expected by the members of the council's planning committee in Welshpool today.

Mr Davies said: "Powys County Council will have a hugely important job to do when it comes to making a devision and I hope they choose the right way forward.

"Planning officials must make sure they do their job and consider opinions from both sides of the coin whether that be an expert or public opinion.

A council report said Mr Jones's application had been rigorously scrutinised, but concluded that the scale, location and impact of the development "fundamentally conflicts" with the development plan.