June date given for Welshpool mega-dairy review

The Jones family, of Lower Leighton Farm, near Welshpool, applied for permission to build a 1,000-cow dairy six years ago.

Permission was granted by the Welsh Government in October because of the economic benefits and jobs it would bring, despite an eight-day planning inquiry earlier recommending the project for refusal.

Now the matter has been referred back to the High Court following lobbying by groups including The World Society for the Protection of Animals and local residents and the decision will be reconsidered on June 5.

Fraser Jones, the farmer behind the plans, said: "I am a little annoyed to say the least. It is yet another unnecessary process.

"Initially planning approval was granted, subject to an outstanding issue on highways which was signed off a week later.

"But then there was a change in the planning committee make up with different councillors having been elected and it had to go in front of the committee again.

"This time planning was refused, again due to a highways concern and following that, due to a variety of lobby groups, it became a high profile public issue leading to a two-week Welsh Government public inquiry at considerable cost to us.

"That did, however, in November result in approval by the Welsh Government on economic grounds and given the green light we finally set about getting work on the unit under way – only to be stopped by the granting of a judicial review into the planning consent.

"This action is down to the World Society for the Protection of Animals and centred on whether Welsh Ministers followed the correct procedures in approving the application – not about what is happening on the farm.

"What is astonishing is that the action has been instigated by an animal welfare group, while welfare concerns have never ever been an issue. The Environment Agency, for instance, has been very supportive from day one.

"I am confident the courts will find in my favour and support my application. It has been a very costly and time consuming battle for me. If farmers do not move with the times, we will not be in business. These sorts of farms will happen in the UK but will be done in such a way as to enhance the countryside, farming and the welfare of animals."

The WSPA, which has supported the local Campaign Against Lower Leighton Farm expansion, said: "We believe this must be urgently reviewed since the possible creation of a small number of new jobs should not outweigh the long term economic benefits afforded by the plentiful, efficient and sustainable asset of grazing which many Welsh dairy farmers fully recognise."

Simon Pope, WSPA UK director of campaigns and communications, said: "With current plans in place, an introduction to a US-style industrial dairy could open the floodgates for a spread of factory farming across the country."