Welshpool mega-dairy decision wait goes on
A decision on whether plans for a "mega-dairy" housing up to 1,000 cows will be given the go ahead has still not been made – almost a month after the target decision date.
The Welsh Assembly said today that a lot of work was still being put in to making a decision on the plans put forward by farmer Fraser Jones, who wants to build the dairy on his land at Leighton, near Welshpool.
The project was the subject of a week-long inquiry in April and a target date for a decision had been set for July 24, But the Assembly said while ministers are working towards publishing a decision there was still "lots" of work to be done. No new decision date has been set.
Campaigners fighting the plans say it will be a danger to the health of children at the nearby Leighton Primary School and visually intrusive.
Work
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Assembly said: "The officials were working towards that date. There's lots of work to be done along the way."
Mr Jones was unavailable for comment today.
The inquiry heard that Mr Jones wants to expand his Lower Leighton Farm to include the "mega dairy" which would house 1,000 cattle.
Neighbours and animal welfare groups voiced their anger at the plan, which includes three large buildings, a fodder storage unit, two slurry stores and a water storage tower, but Mr Jones says he has gone to great lengths to address concerns.
At the public inquiry historic settlements expert and archaeologist Eileen Griffiths, said the dairy farm would have a detrimental affect on the Offa's Dyke path, which passes nearby and the National Trust's Powis Castle estate.
Villagers said the dairy would be too close to their homes and the school and objections have been raised about noise, smell, flies, pollution, increased traffic, the size of the development and its visual impact.
In November 2011, Powys County Council's planning committee said it was minded to approve the dairy application subject to a report about outstanding issues, even though it had been recommended for refusal. But the matter was discussed again last October after changes in the council's constitution and it was rejected and the matter was called in by the Assembly.
