Protesters lose battle against egg shed plan

The plans for Pant Farm in Meifod, near Welshpool, came under criticism by locals who fear an increase in traffic and bad smells.

But Powys County Council's planning committee gave the application the go ahead at a meeting in County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, yesterday.

Rowland Morris, the applicant, said all traffic will use the main trunk road and the Countryside Council for Wales had no concerns regarding the smell.

Mr Morris has one 16,000 free range bird production unit on the site, but hopes to double the size.

Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, wrote to the council before it considered the application to say many of his constituents had contacted him over the plans.

He said: "I have received a number of letters raising objections to the application, which include transport, odour management and location issues. I viewed the file and noted the number of objections raised. I also noted that the Environment Agency Wales and Countryside Council for Wales do not oppose the plan."

Roger and Helen Fielden, of Meifod, who opposed the plans, said: "We suffered a plague of flies last summer and understand the source of those flies was traced to the Pant Farm egg production shed. We are concerned that a second unit will result in a further increase in fly concentrations."

Mr Morris said: "I am under a tight timescale is the new contract is due to start in May and the farm has been owned by three generations, while all objectors have moved here in the last 10 years."

In his report to the committee, planning officer John Pearson said: "On balance, it is considered that the further investment and diversification in the economy outweighs the issued relating to visual impact, and the application is considered to meet the requirements of policy."