By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
Planning applications for chicken and egg farms do take heed of the Well-being for Future Generations Wales and the Environment Wales Act, according to a councillor,
In recent years, Powys has become the chicken farm capital of Wales with an estimated 156 Intensive Poultry Units (IPU) given the green light during the last five years.
Under the Question at Anytime protocol, Green Party councillor, Emily Durrant, asked how the approval of 156 IPU’s across the county contributes to the goals of the Future Generations Wales Act?
Portfolio holder for Planning, Cllr Iain McIntosh, answered that the Local Development Plan (LDP) for Powys which was adopted in 2018 takes into account all of the legal duties set out in both acts.
“As such, all planning applications made in Powys are determined in line with the legislation,” said Cllr McIntosh.
Cllr Durrant also asked how the approval of so many IPU’s complies with the Environment Wales Act, “in particular” the duties under section six of the law which refers to biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems.
It says: “A public authority must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of functions in relation to Wales, and in doing so, promote the resilience of ecosystems, so far as consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.”
To do this a public authority must take account of:
Cllr McIntosh, added: “The LDP’s preparation was informed by an impact assessment against the well-being goals.
“Policy DM2 of the LDP seeks to conserve and enhance biodiversity in line with the Section Six duty.”
This policy says: “Development proposals shall demonstrate how they protect, positively manage and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity interests including improving the resilience of biodiversity through the enhanced connectivity of habitats within, and beyond the site.
The policy goes on to refer to a number of habitat and species that are protected in legislation.
Cllr McIntosh said: “As Planning Policy Wales states, a plan-led approach is the most effective way to secure sustainable development through the planning system and it is essential that plans are adopted and kept under review.
“Legislation secures a presumption in favour of sustainable development in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise to ensure that social, economic, cultural and environmental issues are balanced and integrated.”
In 2020, groups of residents across Powys joined forces calling on PCC to pause planning applications for intensive poultry units to allow research to be done on their affects on the environment and people.