Council’s ‘no’ to Super Dairy

 

The change of heart comes less than a year after the council originally approved an application from farmer Fraser Jones to erect a facility which he believes can save the ailing dairy industry in Mid Wales.

 

However, the Welsh government called in the application in January with Environment Minister John Griffiths concerned about the risk of pollution.

 

A change in constitution enabled the council to re-open the planning file and a small protest was held outside the Town Hall as it was being debated.

 

Their voices were heard as councillors rejected the plans, citing issues with drainage and access to the planned dairy site as well as the landscape and visual impact on locations including the town of Welshpool and Powis Castle.

 

The plans include three livestock cubicle buildings, a fodder storage unit, two slurry stores and a water storage tower, but there have been widespread objections from villagers, including the Primary school located close to the proposed farm.