Controversial Mid Wales mega-dairy may create 10 jobs
Plans to build a 1,000 cow dairy farm in Mid Wales would create 10 full time jobs, a public inquiry has heard.
Farmer Fraser Jones wants to expand Lower Leighton Farm, near Welshpool to include a 'mega dairy' next to Leighton Primary School.
But the plans have sparked anger, leading to a public inquiry which is due to finish today. Yesterday, the inquiry at Powys County Council's Neuadd Maldwyn building in Severn Street, Welshpool, heard evidence from planning agent Gail Lewis, from Roger, Parry and Partners LLP.
She wrote an Expert Witness Evidence report on behalf of the applicants.
In it she said dairy farming had seen a 'considerable decline', with milk production now down five per cent below the national quota. She said at least one farmer is leaving the dairy industry every day.
The proposals for Lower Leighton farm would be a 'sustainable economic development' that 'will contribute positively to the UK dairy sector' and will provided and sustain 10 full time jobs, the report said.
It added: "Mr Jones is a young farmer from Mid Wales with ambitions to succeed in the dairy industry and also to provide a future for his wife and young daughter."
Ms Lewis also said the proposed development would not cause 'any unacceptable adverse effects' on Powys' landscape. She said buildings would be carefully sited and designed to minimise their impact.
The applicant hopes to include land for the community to use for recreation and to allow part of the unit to be for education.
Before the inquiry, villagers said the dairy would be too close to their homes and the school and objections have been raised about noise, the smell, flies, pollution, increased traffic, the size of the development and its visual impact.
Local business: SJ Roberts, Welspool
