TV presenter Iolo Williams joins protest over 2,000-pig farm plan
TV presenter Iolo Williams is among a host of residents who have objected to a planning application for a pig farm that will house up to 2,000 animals.
An application has been submitted by GW and WW Jones of Hill Farm in Montgomery for two pig rearing units, that will help with a partnership with Stockcroft Ltd which supplies meat to brands such as Waitrose and McDonalds.
It will include a new roofed building to store the manure prior to it being spread across the farmland.
Objectors have argued that the application has been misleading and residents have not long realised where the units will be.
They have argued the original application was for a site in Hyssington, eight miles from Montgomery.
A petition has been signed by 105 residents and Monty's Brewery, one of the biggest companies in the area have lodged their objections to it.
Owner Russ Honeyman said in an objection letter that he had concerns about airborne contaminants and smells causing problems with the brewery.
He also said with the establishment having a beer garden, the smell from the spread of manure could drive people away.
TV wildlife presenter and one of the most recognisable faces in the area, Iolo Williams, has lodged his objections to the plans.
He said he was 'horrified' by the application and said it has no place in rural Mid Wales.
Currently the farm, run by Will and Debbie James, has 840 cross breading ewes and 217 breeding ewe lambs.
Within the application, it states that pigs will go into the system at 7kg and out at 110kg, with the expectation that there is 2.2 cycles expected per year.
The manure shed for the big farm will run parallel to the pig rearing sheds, and will house 180 to 200 tones of manure when the system is at full capacity.
Tim Halford, a resident of Llandyssil who has also objected to the plans says he is not against farming plans but believes this one should be rejected for a number of reasons.
He said: "I think there has been a bit of confusion around this application.
"I am not against applications for farmers to increase their revenues and improve their farms but I don't agree with this one.
"Plans show the HGV lorries go down Hill Lane, which is such a tight road and wouldn't be able to take it.
"Residents actually in Montgomery are concerned about ammonia, water run off and the general smell of what is going to do.
"I think before any decision is made we really do need a full study into the impact this is really going to have."
