Welsh Government confirms holding notices have been issued for 12 chicken farm applications in Powys
Elgan Hearn, local democracy reporter
Planning applications for a dozen chicken farms in Powys have been paused this year – the Welsh Government has revealed.
This is so that the Welsh Government minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS can consider taking charge of the decision making process after being asked to “call in” the application.
In January it emerged that an application for a 100,000 broiler chicken farm at Cwmafan, Llanafan Fawr, near Builth Wells had been paused.
Then in February, an application for 112,000 broiler chickens at Upper Maenllwyd was paused just days after Powys County Council’s Planning committee had given it the green light.
Last week it was revealed that an application for 104,000 broiler chickens at the Bryn Thomas poultry unit to the east of Llandrindod Wells had also been paused.
But it turns out that the applicants are one of 10 who received holding notices in recent weeks from the Welsh Government.
Paused
Planning applications for a dozen chicken farms in Powys have been paused this year – the Welsh Government has revealed.
The 10 notices were all added to the Powys County Council planning portal on May 11.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Welsh ministers have issued holding directions in respect of 12 planning applications for poultry related development in Powys.
“The directions prevent the grant of planning permission until the Welsh ministers have assessed whether or not the applications should be called in or not.
“The directions do not prevent the local planning authority undertaking consultations or prevent it refusing the applications.
“Such directions are issued routinely where the Welsh ministers are considering call-in.
“The Welsh ministers cannot comment further on this matter, as to do so may prejudice any future planning decision they may make in relation to the site and may affect any legal proceedings.”
The other nine planning applications that have been paused are:
Two new buildings for 76,000 broiler chickens at Rhosfawr Uchaf, Cwm Golau Cyfronydd near Llanfair Caereinion.
Variation to planning consent for a livestock building – so that it can be used for 5,000 organic free range broiler chickens at Ffosmascal, Rhayader.
Poultry unit extension for a further 16,000 egg laying chickens at Drewern, Hundred House, Llandrindod Wells.
A building for 10,000 broiler chickens at Llwyn Cutta Poultry Unit, Rhayader – this application was withdrawn after the holding notice was issued.
Building for 55,000 broiler chickens at Llwyngwilym, Rhayader.
Three new buildings for 150,000 broiler chickens at Dol Y Dre, Llanddewi near Llandrindod Wells.
A building for 10,000 broiler chickens at Tan House Farm, Dolau near Llandrindod Wells.
Egg production unit for 32,000 egg laying chickens at Trederwen Hall, Arddleen.
Egg production unit for 16,000 egg laying chicken at Cornorion Fawr, Penygarnedd, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant.
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There is too much chicken manure in Powys already and much of it ends up raising nutrient levels in our rivers. Enough is already too much.
They are not farms. They are factories.
And their product is inferior and cruel.
A positive step but probably too late given the number of IPUs already in Powys.
In a recent television documentary it was alledged that poultry farms were partly responsible for life in Welsh rivers to die. In another documentary it highlighted by secret filming the horrific conditions for poultry within the farms. I watched it and it turned my stomach.
Too much chicken of inferior mass produced quality being eaten in UK. We need to cut the size of production units, improve quality of life for the birds and secure better end product. More expensive maybe but a damn sight better for you. And eat less.
Although you maybe correct, the end result will be an increase in the cost of production, giving the supermarkets 2 choices, 1, try and sell more expensive chicken meat and eggs to shoppers that only want cheap food or 2, import cheaper meat and eggs from dubious sources which will keep the shoppers happy along with the shareholders, either way farmers will lose out and probably go under, unless they can convert their barns/sheds to holiday accommodation? Pretty bleak outlook however you look at it.
The welsh government ,like all western governments are attacking the food chain,wether it be agriculture or horticulture. Look at Holland,Ukraine Canada,the USA ,Australia all trying to ban food production either by legislation or using the climate change myth as an excuse.
These IPUs cause serious ecological damage to our protected rivers. They are also a blight on the landscape and it is completely unethical to house and rear chickens in such a way. They are death camps.