Welsh Government calls in 12 poultry unit plans

A series of long delayed poultry planning applications near Welshpool and across Powys have finally been called in by the Welsh Government, bringing an end to nearly two years of uncertainty for the farmers involved.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning has written to Powys County Council confirming that 12 poultry unit applications will now be considered directly by the Welsh Government. All 12 had been subject to Holding Directives since March 2023, preventing the council from making any decisions on them.

The move is significant for Montgomeryshire, where poultry production has been a major part of the rural economy for decades. The growth of intensive poultry units around Newtown, Welshpool, Caersws and the wider Severn Valley has been a continuing source of debate, particularly around environmental impact, transport concerns and the wider effect on the local landscape.

Several applications have been contested at community and county level, with some facing lengthy scrutiny over phosphate levels in the River Severn catchment.

Powys County Council Leader, Cllr Jake Berriman, said the decision at least gives clarity after months of uncertainty.

“I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s decision to call in these planning applications as it finally brings to an end the uncertainty faced by applicants in simply not knowing how their applications would be treated,” he said.

“I recently wrote to the Cabinet Secretary expressing concerns that applications submitted in good faith had been subject to Holding Directives since March of 2023. Some of the applicants who I have spoken to will no doubt be disappointed not to have had more positive news, especially as the ongoing planning process will have financial implications for them, but it at least brings a little more clarity.

“I hope the call in signals the end of the very lengthy delays experienced by the applicants, who are no further forward today in diversifying their farm activities, necessary to secure the future of their family farms, than they were two years ago.”

The Welsh Government has not yet provided a timeline for when decisions on the twelve cases will be made.