Powys Council blasted as gypsy site drop-in set for today
Jasmine Wainwright said that Gwyn’s Barn in Leighton has been farmed by her father, Andrew Thomas, who leases it from Powys County Council, “for decades”, building it up from infrastructure for 30 cows into a modern dairy for 300 milking cows.
But she said that their lives have been turned upside down, firstly by Powys County Council “secretly planning”, but ultimately failing, to sell the farm to a private investor in 2023, and now after being included as the first three of six options for the new site (listed below).
The council says it has no option but to create the extra space due to the current facility in Welshpool at Leighton Arches reaching capacity.
There are three other options being considered in Forden and Churchstoke with all six sites part of a public drop-in taking place today (Monday) at Forden Community Centre from 4pm-8pm.
And Ms Wainwright, who is currently studying Agriculture with Business Management at Harper Adams, has made an impassioned plea on behalf of her family for people to make their opinions known.
We put her claims to Powys County Council who declined the opportunity to comment.
What Ms Wainwright has claimed:
“In October 2023, Powys County Council secretly planned to sell Gwyn’s Barn in Leighton to a private investor, without informing us as tenants until the plan was leaked to the local newspaper, leaving my dad blindsided after decades of building the farm up from infrastructure for 30 cows into a modern dairy for 300 milking cows.
Despite a verbal promise of tenancy until the age of 70, 10 more years, the council spread false claims that dad wished to retire, was in negotiations with them, and that the farm required costly NVZ upgrades, none of which were true, all intended to justify the secret sale.
After the council failed to organise the sale, the prospective buyer withdrew in January 2025, leaving my dad with minimal explanation and told simply to carry on as normal.
Now, on 1st September 2025, he was informed—at the same time as the public—that the council now plans to use Gwyn’s Barn, our home, as a new Gypsy and Traveller site.
The council withheld information until it was public knowledge. Leaving my dad once again facing the loss of his life’s work without compassion. The farm not only sustains our family, but it is also mine and Amy’s family home, where we both grew up around agriculture, inspiring our future careers. The farm also employs over ten local residents and has provided valuable opportunities for so many people to experience farming.
It’s insulting to all the time that has been put into make what our farm is today.
I began university in 2023, just as the attempted sale was revealed, unsure whether there would be a farm to return to. Now, two years later, as I begin my placement year, I face the same uncertainty, unsure if I will have a family farm and home to return to.”
The six sites being considered
- Parcel 1 at Leighton, Welshpool (7.83ha): Land opposite Severnleigh/Stables/Coach House/Granary, Leighton.
- Parcel 2 at Leighton, Welshpool (11.39ha): Land southwest of Severnleigh, Leighton.
- Land Holding at Leighton, Welshpool (47.12ha): Buildings and land at Gwyns Barn, Leighton.
- Parcel 1 at Forden, Welshpool (2.92ha): Land adjacent Forden Village - north of Church Farm/Church Farm Close, Forden.
- Parcel 2 at Forden, Welshpool (3.6ha): Land off C road C2114, South/southwest of Church Farm/Church Farm Close (opposite Pound Fields), Forden.
- Land Holding at Churchstoke, Montgomery (8.26ha): Land adjacent Churchstoke Village – Fir House land, Churchstoke.
A link to the consultation can be found through https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/site-options
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