Protests force dairy plans re-think

Plans for a controversial ‘Super Dairy’ on the outskirts of Welshpool have been resubmitted but the under-fire farmer.

 

Fraser Jones wants to erect a 1,000-cattle facility at Leighton but has faced a barrage of objections from local residents and institutions including the Environment Agency, the local primary school and even Powis Castle which has said it will ruin its views across the valley.

 

But not to be outdone, the young farmer has gone back to the drawing board after listening to concerns and has submitted a new proposal to Powys County Council for consideration.

 

The Environment Agency was concerned about the risks posed to groundwater and how manure would be managed and Mr Jones insists those concerns had been addressed, and he would plant more trees and extend an anti-noise wall.

 

He told the BBC: “I have made a few alterations. There were concerns that manure from the dairy would be spread onto rented ground and if I was to lose that ground then I would have nowhere to spread the manure. That has changed and I now intend to spread manure on ground I own."

 

"The Environment Agency wanted a few things done which I have done to satisfy them.

 

"There's going to be a lot more trees and plantations to mask the visual impact - about treble the amount there was in the original plans," he added.

 

"I'm also increasing the height of a wall to help reduce the impact of noise, although there isn't going to be much noise at all."

 

A new consultation process has started, and the new plans will be on display at Roger Parry in Welshpool on Thursday between 2-6pm.  Mr Jones will be available to meet people by appointment at Roger Parry's at the same time.

 

And in a further boost to campaigners, plans for a super dairy in Lincoln were put out to pasture last week following local objections.